Carroll recap

Last night the Varsity got their 3^rd win of the season, against Carroll. We have played 9 matches and have 7 left to go before sectional play begins.

Emily Harshman had a solid win last night 6-1, 6-0. She is really serving well and finding her groove with her groundstrokes. Since we have had some consistent nights in a row playing, that has really helped her.

 

Alexis Hungate in her own words, couldn’t get comfortable with her groundstrokes last night. It’s important to remember that sometimes we just have an off night, and to let it go and move on. That’s what we will be doing, although I am always proud of her effort and attitude to keep fighting, no matter what. 2-6, 2-6

 

Georgia Williamson was back in the saddle at 3 singles last night and started off with a 7-5 first set and decided to not mess around, putting the hammer down with a 6-0 second set. Good job Georgia!

 

Sydney Wells and Kady Whitehead played together for the first time last night at 1 doubles. Winning the first set 6-0 and the second set 6-3 was a nice way to start off together. Kady’s consistency and movement on the court balanced nicely with Sydney aggressiveness and ability to poach. They will be back in action against Cass tonight.

 

Madison Wells and Erica Plutat took the court together for the first time last night at 2 doubles. Dominating the first set 6-1 and getting the second 7-5 was a good showing for the two juniors. Madison has had some good experience at one doubles this year and is continuing to develop as a doubles player and Erica is playing some of her best tennis right now. The two of them at the 2 spot is actually a very solid fit, in my opinion. I am very pleased with all the girls’ willingness to trust coach, with a good attitude, as I continue to search for what is the best option for our team.

 

Last night’s win brings us to 3-6 Varsity record.

 

Junior Varsity recap

 

Megan Floyd won a close one at 1 singles 8-7 (9-7) She was confident and assertive in the tiebreaker last night. Getting the follow through correct and foot placement is still a key in improvement, but she pulled out the win, so that’s big.

 

Dulce Amayun bageled her opponent 8-0 last night and once again showed her control, placement, and cool and collected attitude on the court. But what Dulce said last night after the match was even cooler than what she did on the court. She said that she used to get really upset when she was down in a match or lost. She said tennis has taught her how to control her emotions, stay focused under pressure, and find the good even out of a loss. Wise words from this senior leader!

 

Marlee Thomas gets another win at 3 singles tonight, 8-1. Marlee asked good questions on change over and showed that she wants to learn and get better. She has good court sense and ability to judge where the ball should go. Her foot placement on the court is improving and so is her shot selection.

 

Gabriella Matly and Jenna Miller won 8-5 against their opponents at 1 Doubles. Last night they learned that not every team is always kind and sometimes is downright rude, questioning every call and being unsportsmanlike. We have to remember that we can’t control how someone else acts and to stay confident and assertive in our calls and in our play. Sometimes, players (and even fans in the audience) try to manipulate us into playing into their mind games, and it’s important that we do not get drawn into that. Our girls handled it well!

 

Rachel Baker and Kaley Hopper got the win 8-4 at number 2 doubles. I like the way these two work together. I like how they respond to things and how they are aggressive at the net. I like their communication and their responsibility for how they play on the court. I am very proud of the way these two have played so far this season.

 

Lydia Wallace and Brooke Hardin are really getting it. Winning last night 6-4 against their opponents, I saw so many things to be excited for. First of all, these two were studying number 1 doubles to get pointers on things to do during their own match. They talked about backing one another up at the baseline and about scooting to the middle to poach the ball. Brooke’s volleys looked much better and Lydia’s serve is coming along!

 

Anna Ortmann and Addison Morgan played two upper level JV players last night and lost 0-4, but there were deuce games and good things that happened during the match. Better serves, better placement on the court, getting our hands on the volleys, and good communication are all things that we can take with us, whether win or loss. Good effort girls!

 

Last night’s win brings the JV to an 8-0 record.

 

We are home tonight against Cass (white skirt), a conference opponent. We are at Western tomorrow (black skirt), At home against Eastern (white skirt) Thursday (match time changed to 5 pm), and at Madison Grant on Friday (black skirt). Girls need to be at courts 3:35 every night. See you at the courts!

 

Coach Kristine Miller

Hamilton Heights and Peru match recaps

4/26 Hamilton Heights

Emily Harshman won 6-1, 6-4

Alexis Hungate lost 6-2, 4-6, 3-6

Georgia Williamson lost 5-7, 4-6

Sydney Wells and Madison Wells lost 5-7, 4-6

Erica Plutat and Gabriella Matly lost 4-6, 0-6

Varsity Record 2-5 and Conference Record 1-1

Kady Whitehead won 8-6

Megan Floyd lost 7-8

Dulce Amayun won 8-2

Rachel Baker and Jenna Miller won 8-6

JV Record 6-0 and 2-0 in Conference

Marlee Thomas and Addison Morgan lost 4-8

Lydia Wallace and Brooke Hardin lost 4-8

Anna Ortmann lost 0-6

Exhibition lost 0-3

This match was tough because we were close in every single match at the Varsity. We just didn't convert. As a whole group, we are improving in some areas, but still missing some key intangibles.

4/27 Peru match recap

Emily Harshman 0-6, 3-6. 

Alexis Hungate 0-6, 0-6

Kady Whitehead 1-6, 0-6

Sydney Wells and Madison Wells 6-4, 4-6, 1-6

Erica Plutat and Megan Floyd 3-6, 2-6

Varsity Record 2-6 and 1-2 in Conference

Georgia Williamson 8-2

Dulce Amayun 8-0

Kaley Hopper 7-6

Jenna Miller 4-6

Gabriella Matly and Rachel Baker 6-0

JV Record 7-0 and 3-0 in Conference

I told the girls that were watching to watch the Peru one doubles to see the intangibles I am looking for them to show during a match. These things are loud communication, excellent footwork and bouncing, amazing attitudes and intensity, joy when winning a point and celebrating within reason, lifting their partner up when down, a never say die spirit evident, and executing an effective strategy. Almost all of those are things within our control. When we exude these things, we start hitting better, and the wins will start coming. Until we give 100% in all of these areas, we will not meet our potential. I want to thank some of our upper class girls for holding a team meeting on the bus after the match to talk with the girls about expectations we have going forward for the rest of the season. It's nice to know that the girls think of this as their team and they hold eachother to appropriate accountability. No matter if we have a winning record or a losing record, I do not care nearly as much about that compared to if we are competing to the best of our ability. 

I have been informed by the ladies that they would like to do a team Don Pancho's dinner after the Home match on Monday. This is not a mandatory event, just a fun things beyond the tennis. I would love to go to that after the match, as well. But, I will not be there to supervise the girls or wait for rides. If you parents would like to go as well, that is great. I might suggest that someone call and let Don Pancho know a large group is going to be coming. Like I said, I will not be having anything to do with the planning or responsibility of supervising of this event, but I wanted to help the girls out by sending this invitation out to all of you and the girls. :-)

Thanks and have a great rest of your weekend. We have a big week ahead, and I know we can stick together and finish out the rest of the season well!

Coach Kristine Miller

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Updates for tennis

I text the girls today to tell them that Peru's coach told us to sit tight at northwestern to see if it stopped raining before we left. I think some of them did not relay that message to you. I told them it's important that if I communicate something to them, to let you know, as I do not have access to my email (I still have a dumb phone) all the time. 

Anyways, the match with Peru has been rescheduled to Saturday the 27th at 10 a.m. I don't know what time the bus will leave, but I would like the girls to be at the NW courts at 8:30.

Also, here is the updated schedule for the next couple weeks.

Tomorrow April 24th- Practice

Thursday April 25th- Match

Friday April 26th- Match

Saturday April 27- Match

Monday April 29- Match

Tuesday April 30- Match

Wednesday May 1st- Match

Thursday May 2nd- Match

Friday May 3rd- Match

Saturday May 4th- I really hate to say this, but keep this morning open for a potential rain day make up. I promise you I wouldn't want this to happen, but if we get anymore rain, we have to have a day open to reschedule it, and if you look at the above schedule, there aren't a whole lot of available dates. So please don't get mad at me or try to talk me out of it if it happens. Make your appointments for the p.m. hours after 2, because I will not excuse you from a match, due to a school dance. I know that you may have already pre-arranged things, so I am just telling you now to be prepared, in case we do have to use that day for a make up. Other sports are already rescheduled for that day and lots of other schools have events on their prom days. I try to keep our events away from our Prom the best I can, but I can't make any promises with all this rain we have had and continue to have. 

Please communicate well in advance if you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter. 

Thanks!

Coach Kristine Miller

Delphi recap

Hello Tiger tennis family,

 

We were back together as a whole team last night, and it was a great night. As I have said all year long, I am always proud of this group of girls, because of who they are, the effort they show, and the attitude they bring to the court. But, last night was a night for them. Getting the win was exciting for them. Delphi is a team, honestly, that is a little more our level. Nice players, good athletes, and we had quite the battle. Ranging from top of the line up to the bottom, we had good matches, including 2 three setters.

 

Emily Harshman played a nice match at 1 singles last night. Her opponent had different pace and hit some strange shank winners. Em stayed focused on her game plan and didn’t let the strangeness of the other girl’s game get to her. She took care of business 6-2, 6-0. Nice win Emily!

 

Alexis Hungate had a battle last night against a solid number 2. Ali is getting more depth on her shots, she’s looking better at the net, and she is really getting a better strategy in her head. I was impressed with her ability to come back after a second set loss and rally for the win: 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.

 

Kady Whitehead gave us our money’s worth last night, as she earned her first high school Varsity win 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. It’s tough when you lose that first set, because you know you have to basically play a whole match, in order to win. Kady has gotten her game back in these last few weeks and is hitting with great top spin and is being very consistent. That is what it takes to win at the 3 singles spot.

 

Madi and Sydney Wells played up and down last night, but good enough to take the win. When they took the middle of the court up at the net and communicated and backed eachother up at the net, they looked awesome. We are still working on keeping it simple at the net and not doing too much with the volleys, spraying them out. We have a lot of matches ahead of us to work those kinks out before sectional, so I am excited for the potential I am seeing out of these sisters.

 

Erica Plutat and Gabriella Matly lost a 4-6, 5-7 match yesterday. I felt bad for them, because it was one of those matches where a few shots differently, could have given our team the win. We are struggling a little with positioning and executing our shots. I think we know what we want to do, but are just having a little trouble doing it. I am pleased though with the positive attitudes and the effort coming from the two of them, but still plan on trying a few different things with doubles this season.

 

Megan Floyd had a great match at 1 singles JV. 8-0 was the score, and you could tell she was focused in, like she meant business and needed to take care of it quick J I think one of her biggest assets is her mental toughness, and if she stays intense, she is going to just continue to get better and better. I saw better follow throughs and less unforced errors.

 

Dulce Amayun went out and played 2 singles JV last night and won 8-2. Dulce has been impressing me this year by working on control and consistency. I appreciate that she has been versatile in working back and forth between singles and doubles and has done both nicely.

 

Marlee Thomas played a good match last night, but unfortunately had her first loss of the season. I couldn’t have been more proud though of how she kept fighting. Her fundamentals are getting better and her backhand is improving, as she is hitting it out to the side, as opposed to in front of her. Her movement on the court is a strength, and she is getting better at staying out of no man’s land. Score was 6-8

 

Jenna Miller and Rachel Baker worked together for the first time last night and they did a good job. We are working on being in the right positioning based on who is serving/returning etc. and getting our feet to the net or back behind the baseline. Communicating loudly is a big factor in doubles, and I want to see this. Score was 8-5

 

Lydia Wallace and Kaley Hopper played number 2 doubles last night, and being completely honest, I didn’t see much of their match. Just sharing a little- One of the toughest parts of coaching tennis, in a match like last night, is having 8 courts of girls and being pulled in many directions. Part of the neat/hard parts of playing tennis is the girls are expected to take what their coaches teach them in practice and on some changeovers and remember it during the rest of the match. What we saw out of these girls last night was just that. They took care of business 8-2.

 

Anna Ortmann and Addison Morgan played very well last night. Addison was on fire at the net and Anna’s serves are looking much improved. Their groundstrokes are coming along and I see two players who have such potential for the game. I just love their competitive spirits that are tempered with being so sweet. I am thoroughly enjoying watching them improve.

 

As always, thanks to Ethan for his many trips to the bus and keeping track of the score. Christy for getting the girls warmed up and the score sheets ready for the other team. And, coach Matt for helping to coach at the match and putting up with teenage girls…haha

 

Snacks were once again awesome (according to the girls and coaches) so thanks to the parents who have taken care of that. Lockers decorations have been very nice, and I know the girls appreciate the support. Yard signs in the yards at home and at our tennis courts are great, and add a little something extra! It’s nice to see everyone working together to make a great atmosphere for the girls. It really lets us coaches focus on what our part needs to be.

 

We will see what happens with our conference match against Peru tonight!

 

Coach Kristine Miller

Logan invite recap

The Varsity girls went to Logansport for an invitational that turned into a match with just one other team, Mississinewa. Our girls had a fun day, I think, but that didn’t translate into a win for us.

 

Mississinewa had a strong number one singles player, who was the granddaughter of one of the coaches. I have seen her out at the tennis center quite a few times and I know she plays year round. Emily had a very nice second set with her, where I saw Emily dictating play, moving the girl around, and grinding out points. My favorite point of the day was where Em ran up and back on the court 5 or 6 times during the rally and the girl hit a ball, it clipped the net and rolled over on Emily’s side. From mid court, Em ran up and got the ball back in play. The girl hit it back to Em and the Emily put it away for a winner. Fun stuff!

 

Alexis Hungate played a good player as well. Her second set was better than the first and I saw Ali learning what her opponent’s weaknesses were and really attacking those. Alexis is working on getting more depth on the ball and getting the ball higher up over the net during baseline rallies. I was proud of her effort and attitude.

 

Kady Whitehead saw Varsity time for the first in her high school tennis career. I was very proud that she was working on some things we talked about in practice and warm up. Keeping the ball deep in the court, and having a consistent rally before going for the winner were things she was focusing on. I think she played a nice match, but came out with a loss. I look forward to watching her in the future get a Varsity win.

 

Madison Wells and Sydney Wells played a doubles team that has a lot of experience playing doubles and playing together. It showed in the match of their experience. The match score does not however show the things our girls are doing well and improving on. Shadowing the ball and shifting together as a doubles pair is getting better. We are still working on stepping back off of the net so we can get mid-height volleys and overheads and poaching on balls that are relatively close enough to us to move over and take. I am proud of their continual effort to work together, brush themselves off and go back after the next point.

 

Erica Plutat and Georgia Williamson played together for the first time on Saturday. Putting a new pair together is always an adjustment, but I think they did a good job. It was Georgia’s first time playing doubles in a match, but she has some natural abilities to be aggressive, and put the ball away. Erica has really been a leader on the court and off. She put in a lot of work in the off-season and her game reflects that. We are still working on getting the ball higher up and away from the net player, but that will come with more match play.

 

Gabriella Matly, Megan Floyd, Dulce Amayun, and Jenna Miller traveled along and each played two or three exhibition matches. I am glad for the opportunity for each of them to get to improve and get matches in. Some comments I made during their singles matches were to cut down on unforced errors, know your opponents strengths and weaknesses, increase our first serve percentage, and get the feet out of no-man’s land.

 

We get better at all of these things with more match play and experience, so I am pleased with where we are now. Until all of the girls are dedicated to playing throughout the year to improve, this is the best we can hope to expect to be at. That is not a negative, and I understand that it may just not be possible for many, so do not be discouraged by it. It is just a fact.

 

More important to me than wins and losses is the girls learning life lessons about team, hard work, attitude, and effort through the season. Any wins and success beyond that is icing on the cake!

 

Coach Kristine Miller

No activity today, Saturday updates, HH reschedule

Update-Changes: As of now, our bus time to leave for the Varsity Invite tomorrow is 12:25. We will now only play Mississinewa and we have a start time of 2 p.m. Will let you know if there are any more updates.

As far as those who will be practicing tomorrow, I will let you know tomorrow, when I see what the weather is like on if there will still be practice.

 

With school cancellation today, I text the girls earlier that all activity for tonight is cancelled.

 

The Hamilton Heights match has been rescheduled for April 26^th at 5 p.m. Please mark that down on your calendar. Bus will leave at 3:35.

  

I sincerely want to express that I hate how we have had to be so up in the air so often this spring. With an outdoor spring sport, we always have to expect some of that, but this is unreal. I am right there with you, in frustration of having to be “on call” with these changes. But, it is real life practice for these girls on plans changing and dealing with them with the right attitude J  I am always here if you have questions or concerns.

 

Thanks,

 

Coach Kristine Miller

Heights match tonight

The match against Hamilton Heights tonight has been postponed. I will let you know the make up date when I know. Thanks! No practice tonight.
Coach Miller