Cowgirls over the Lady Tigers of Ragsdale in conference tennis action

The wind was whipping.  It was chilly too.  Coach wore pants instead of his usually attire of 1980’s coaching shorts with the snap button sans belt and knee high socks with three stripes with the grey, disintegrating New Balance 410 runners with the too tight white polo tucked in….and then put on a jacket…yes…it looks like Fall finally has arrived.

To their credit, the Tiger’s line-up played much better this time than the first encounter. 

In every scenario below, add in the words, “in the wind.”  Allow coach to explain.  The wind was like another player on the court affecting each shot to and fro.  Facing the field, the wind pushed many shots in or wide if of course.  If facing the small gathering of trees, the wind was relentless in pushing shots out that would have been inside the line and for those weaker hits, it pushed them long making the shorter hitting Tigers much more of an opponent than first played. 

But they played this game to their advantage on three of the courts.  Do not think Coach considers this an AHA!.  No.  Simply put, their game meshed well with the prevailing winds (literal) and allowed their shots to play much more effectively than the Cowgirls’ expectations. 

Though some close and others having a bit more distance between the playing strengths of the same court rivals, the Cowgirls were able to find their stroke and in doing so, their game in the conditions granted them.

Audrey – 1 and 0

Anna – 7-5, 6-1

Lauren – 2 and 4

Jada – 3 and 0

Caroline Church - 0 and 0

Evie Wesney – 0 and 0

In dubs, the Cowgirls, having experienced the learning curve of the wind, were able to settle their shots and play more aggressively at the net.

Audrey and Anna – 8-4

Rachael Dee/Betsy Chen – 8-4

Trinity Edwards/Riley Robinson – 8-0

Though the Cowgirls won 9-0, suffer Coach for one more para or two.

Special kudos to Perez at 1, Wright at 2, Brewer at 3, and Tracy at 4.  Each of these Tigers had grown their game substantially over the weeks between our matches.  Three of these Tigers had a good down the line shot they were able to pull at will.  Two were fierce little go getters in their seeing a shorter ball and taking it to the net to either finish off the point or to force a winner from the Cowgirls.  And they all played hard.

But in the end the Cowgirls overcame.  Wright had Anna down 2-5 before Anna regrouped, paused, internalized Coach’s words, and played her game.  She won the 7-5 in the first.  Perez, though not able to handle many bigger shots from Audrey, held nicely shot for shot and the rallies developed.  Brewer battled hard and even had a surge against Lauren.  To her Credit, Lauren settled down the ruffled feathers and finished the match soundly.  And lastly, Ava played Jada well in making Jada move the ball around and run!  Yes, lots of running due to the Lady Tiger. 

Congrats to the Cowgirls on their victory.  Worthy praise for the Tigers and their play tonight.

Singles

     Audrey Serb (SW) over Ella Perez(R) 6-1, 6-0

     Anna McGinnis (SW) over Cameryn Wright (R) 7-5, 6-1

     Lauren Harris (SW) over Claudia Brewer 6-2, 6-4

     Jada Speight (SW) over Ava Tracy (R) 6-3, 6-0

     Caroline Church (SW) over Anosha Shah(R) 6-0, 6-0

     Evie Wesney (SW) over Claire Klutz (R) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

     Serb/McGinnis (SW) over Perez/Wright (R)  8-4

     Rachael Dee/Betsy Chen (SW) over Brewer/Tracy (R) 8-4

     Trinity Edwards/Riley Robinson(SW) over Shah/Caroline Murrillo (R) 8-0

Cowgirls rise to 8-5, 11-8

They will host the Vikings of NW on Wednesday for our final home, conference, and season match.

Play begins at 5pm. 

But you want more?!?

Good news, The Cowgirls will host the Metro 4-A Conf Tourney beginning next Monday and continuing through Tuesday evening.

Play begins 3pm on Monday for the first two rounds.

4pm on Tuesday for the Quarter finals, Finals, and back draw to decide the seeds representing the Metro Conf in Regional Action.

Come if you can….Some of the tennis action will be intense!

Programs only $5 at the door or free with GCS badge admission (that means no charge)

And Lastly, Coach will host a teacher/staff tournament later in October.  Stay tuned for a fun afternoon of tennis.