I tried to downplay the strength of Dorman's team in practice yesterday even though I know that they have been the buzz of the upstate this spring as far as contenders go for the state title. They have been ranked in the top 5 of the SCTCA's coach's poll this season and were picked #3 in the April 17th poll. After seeing them in action, it is clear to me that the buzz is accurate and they do have a legit shot at winning this year's championship. Their lines 1 through 4 are very solid and there is a very small drop off at #5. Their doubles team might not beat Spring Valley or Lexington, but if the top of their lineup takes care of business, they can pull it off.
On paper, we had no business competing with Dorman:
Their #1 is ranked #11 in the USTA SC's 18's, ours is unranked
Their #2 is ranked #4 in the 14's, ours is ranked #106 in the 18's
Their #3 is ranked #79 in the 18's, ours is #50 in the 16's
Their #4 is ranked #83 in the 18's, ours is unranked
Their #5 is ranked #78 in the 14's, ours is unranked
But that is why you play the game. Sure, they beat us at every line tonight. We did give them some fits tonight and played hard. I thought that the doubles team would force a match tiebreak and win their match to remain undefeated on the season. Jordan even looked like he'd have a chance to sneak a set off their #5.
Hunter even tried so hard that he broke out a dramatic jump serve that he and I worked on yesterday...it was absolutely hysterical & it cost me 5 bucks since I bet him that he wouldn't do it. His opponents mother made me almost fall down laughing when she said, "What in the world was that?" (Note: Hunter won that point...probably because the kids had no clue how to react to something so goofy looking.) It was 5 bucks well spent!
I generally don't give a lot of thought to rankings when I play someone, but they do usually reflect a competitiveness that a player has. To be ranked high, you need to play a lot of tournament events year round. It's possible to play 3 or 4 events and be ranked in the top 100 if you can win a few matches. However, to be ranked near the top 10 of an age group you need to play 12-15 tournaments a year and get wins against a lot of quality opponents.
The Northwestern boys team has a lot of potential to rise up to the level of Dorman and Spring Valley. We have some true talent returning next year that simply needs to log the hours on court and have a desire to get better. Do players need to take lessons? Yes. Do players need to spend a lot of time with hitting practice? Yes. Do players need to play practice matches against each other? Yes. Do players need to compete in tournaments year round? Yes. Do players need to be running & lifting weights? Yes. Is this a lot to ask of the players? Absolutely.
It isn't something that is going to be easy to do, but nothing worthwhile in life is ever easy. I plan on giving every returning player a goals chart and a point system that I created to help everyone become better players. I don't expect that every player will follow this plan 100%, but I do promise any player that does will improve dramatically in their skill and athleticism over the next 9 months. I also promise that players that don't follow the plan will be passed up in tryouts next year by the players that do.
Next season starts now.
Go Trojans!
Location: Dorman HS, Roebuck, SC
Result: Dorman 7, Northwestern 0
Singles
1- Jackson Keith def Drayton Wade 6-0, 6-2
2- Wood Benton def Seth Russell 6-1, 6-0
3- Andrew Harvey def Hunter Love 6-0, 6-0
4- Skyler Wenkles def John Clark 6-1, 6-2
5- Patrick Tobacco def Jordan Beaver 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
1- Jay Michels/Michael Hileski def Collins Mauldin/Michael Baldwin 6-4, 6-4
2- Mayfield Reynolds/Forrest Reynolds def Chris Cassidy/Tyler Leonard 8-4
Records: Dorman 14-3, Northwestern 12-6
Result: Dorman 7, Northwestern 0
Singles
1- Jackson Keith def Drayton Wade 6-0, 6-2
2- Wood Benton def Seth Russell 6-1, 6-0
3- Andrew Harvey def Hunter Love 6-0, 6-0
4- Skyler Wenkles def John Clark 6-1, 6-2
5- Patrick Tobacco def Jordan Beaver 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
1- Jay Michels/Michael Hileski def Collins Mauldin/Michael Baldwin 6-4, 6-4
2- Mayfield Reynolds/Forrest Reynolds def Chris Cassidy/Tyler Leonard 8-4
Records: Dorman 14-3, Northwestern 12-6
Jump Serve Maestro
