Following two weeks of practice, i think that these young men are developing well as a Varsity Team, and I am optimistic that they will do well this season. I am confident with that statement because they played so well, without being able to practice on the tennis courts during much of Week 1. The weather and the lack of available indoor courts forced us to work out in the gym. We had a week of essential fitness development and then we launched into the preseason at Manchester Athletic Club.
Their Annual High School Tennis Jamboree brings together a strong mix of teams from area schools and provided a solid opening test for our players. We opened against Pentucket, from the Cape Ann League, on Friday evening. They are a strong, well-coached, team, and they gave us a battle. Our precision was definitely reduced by being without sufficient previous on-court work, but the guys found a way to win overall by the close match score of 3 - 2.
The win put us into the semi-final match vs. Phillips Exeter Academy. I wish you all could have been there to see them walk onto the courts for an entirely different level of tennis. As the Phillips coach said to me: (During the matches, we spoke about his players and his program.), "Well, Coach," he said, "We have certain advantages that you don't." The guys were not intimidated, however, and gave the matches their best efforts. At this stage of our development, players from a school like Phillips Exeter are refined to a level of play that we expect to achieve, but their development program allows them to reach it earlier. That may have given the guys some incentive. The doubles matches were a good learning experience for us, as were the three singles.
Matt Jacobs, at 1st Singles, played against the boy who is ranked 25th in the entire nation on the college recruiters list. He is a year older and more experienced than Matt, and yet Matt battled him forcefully to deuce 8 times. It was a compelling match to watch, considering, and I believe Matt will surpass the level of play we saw on that court. That will be something to see.
Val Temin, at 2nd Singles, started strong and pulled ahead early. The pride we can take in his match is that, using his athletic skill and his intelligent approach to the game, he forced his opponent to adjust and dig deeper than he would have had to otherwise, to overcome the threat that Val represents to all his opponents. In the end, Val was defeated by a well-trained player, but it was clear that it was no walk-over. I am very pleased and a bit humored by Val's confidence. During his Pentucket match, he had an early lead, and then his opponent closed the gap a bit. During a change of side, he told me what he needed to do, and then went out and adjusted. His lead opened again, he controlled the points well, and as he changed side at 9 - 4, I suggested that he adjust his serve for a little more consistency. He looked at me and smiled. "Coach," he said, "I don't think I'll be serving again.", and he proceeded to break his opponents serve again, giving up only one more point in the match. I can tell you, that is good fun for a coach to see.
The match of the day was our Captain, Sam Crimmins v. his Phillips Exeter opponent. Sam broke serve early and held his own consistently through the match. In that zone between conscious and unconscious that Gallwey described, and that those of us who play a sport have experienced from time to time, Sam applied the pressure of consistency that gradually erodes an opponent's confidence. During the change of sides, our conversation consisted of, "Coach, I don't know how I'm doing this!", and, "That's OK, Sam, don't think about it, just keep doing it.", which is what he did. (Sometimes, coaching is simple.) Finally, at 9 - 8, with the match on the line, Sam's opponent, to his credit, found a way to break back. You can image that, at this level - given no substantive practice time on court the previous 4 days, playing against a school team that many would consider superior, having lost a match the previous day, and with the weight of, "Captain", in the mix - a young man having his serve broken when he had the opportunity to win the match could, understandably, be an emotional blow that will, from time-to-time, result in the loss of confidence that costs that player the match. We can all see it, and still encourage that player to take heart and "get 'em next time!" But, ..., not on this afternoon. At 9 - 9, they began the required match tiebreak. As if it were matter-of-course, Sam won his serve point, and then gained the 1st mini-break. Leading 2 - 1, he gave it back and then held for 3 - 2. Back and forth they battled into a shadow, a match point opportunity against Sam, at 5 - 4.
It is difficult to face losing a match in which one has given so much. It is a credit to both opponents just to play a match like that. There is pressure of mind and will that gets tested and strengthened no matter the outcome - and it is especially sweet to win a match like that. With the match on his racquet, and all the stated swirling thoughts in his mind, Sam's opponent served the dreaded double fault. 5 - 5. I could see the pressure increase, and with it, Sam's focus. His opponent apparently saw an image of loss, and followed with another double fault. 6 - 5 to Sam's favor. In less than a minute the match had turned again on to Sam's racquet. It is difficult to express the pleasure it was to watch him take that task in hand and, with maturity and confidence, make a good serve, follow with a forcing shot from his opponent's return, and watch the last shot sail long to win his match, ..., against Phillips Exeter, no less.
What a weekend! Wish i had the video to show you.
I am exceeding proud of all the guys.
I'm honored to be chosen to coach this team.
Looking forward,
Coach Whitehouse
