Weekend results for the Whitties

What a fun weekend of tennis for the Whitties. Sunday we had the wonderful opportunity to split the team into two and play DI Montana (at home) and conference opponent UPS (in Tacoma). Since I was in Tacoma I can't write too much about the Montana match. From text messages and calls it appears that Etienne had the match of the day defeating Montana's #1 (a senior from Poland) 13-11 in the 3rd set super-breaker. At #3 Jake had a good effort winning the first set 6-2 before dropping the next two 6-3, 6-3. We also picked up a 9-7 win at #3 doubles (Dan and Justin) that doesn't count on the official team score since we played the 7 point DI format.

Whitman 1 Montana 6

While team 1 was battling the all-international Grizzly team, team 2 ran into a fired up UPS team. With our top 8 players in Walla Walla this was a major opportunity for UPS to knock us out of the top spot in the conference (we are currently tied with Linfield). I must say that things looked bleak in doubles. We were down breaks at #1 and #3 doubles but up a break at #2. As the doubles wound down I was prepared to go into singles down 1-2. However at 4-6 down Jasper and Adriel (#1 doubles) played inspired doubles -- closing hard, crossing and nailing returns winning the last 4 games for a hard fought 8-6 victory. The #2 doubles team of Thomas and Conor got an early break and never looked back scoring an 8-5 victory. Unfortunately the #3 doubles team of David and Reid never got on track losing 8-6.

One thing that I absolutely loved the team that played UPS is that they never "panicked". Losing this match not only would of knocked us out of first place in the conference standings, but would of nailed our national ranking and ended our conference winning streak. Plus we had two freshman playing #1 (Adriel) and #2 (Conor) in their first big team match.  

In fact early in the singles things didn't look promising: at #5 Thomas was down 1-5, at #2 Conor was down 1-4, and at #3 David was down 0-3. At 2-5 I scrambled down to talk to Thomas and he told me not to worry,  although he wasn't playing well he was going to win the match. Even though he was down 2-5 he had that champion look in his eye and I knew he would be ok. At 1-4 Conor and I had a great chat and I've never seen a more dramatic turn around in my years coaching. He went from trying to end the point early in rallies to taking his time, pounding the ball deep and forcing his opponent to miss. From 1-4 down Conor raced to a 7-5, 5-2 lead! If he can keep this type of  composure on court he will be a force to be reckoned with! Speaking of composure I can't say enough about Adriel. This young man wise beyond his years! I've been calling Adriel "Yoda" for a few weeks now..he certainly lived up to that billing on Sunday beating a good NWC 1st Team All-Conference player 6-3, 6-2. 

David and Jasper also had great comebacks over the weekend. Jasper was down 2-5 in the 2nd and rallied to close out his match in a tie-breaker. David came from a set down to post a 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 victory at #3 singles.

Our lone senior on the trip (Reid) posted a 6-2, 6-4 victory at #6. I know this was especially sweet for Reid since his parents made the trip up from Olympia to watch him play. By the way the cookies were awesome! :)

Whitman 8 UPS 1

We have a big show down with Linfield on Friday. Both teams are currently undefeated in conference play. If you are in Walla Walla on Friday I hope to see you at the courts at 4pm!

Jeff