Waynesville Tennis got off to a rough start on Thursday night against West Plains. Starting doubles, we just looked “off” from the beginning.  Unfortunately, this rough start put us in a deficit that we just couldn’t break through. Dropping in all three doubles matches, the girls weren’t playing like normal.  We were missing shots we normally make, our feet weren’t moving, and our communication was lacking.  We gained some momentum going to singles, but it just wasn’t enough to pull out ahead. Leading on three courts from the beginning of singles, we started to look warmed up and ready to play.  Unfortunately, it was short-lived.  Finishing with a win, Tiffany Bell had the most intense match of the night.  Tiffany is our tiebreaker girl.  She’s played more tiebreakers this year than all of the rest of the team combined. And honestly, that’s the way I prefer it.  Tiffany handles pressure well.  Most girls hate tiebreakers. They’re full of pressure.  They’re usually the last game of the match.  And, they could go either way.  They’re tight matches, and are always a mind game in the end.  Tiffany thrives on them.  When I asked her tonight how she feels about always going to a tiebreaker, I was expecting her to say she’s hates them.  Nope.  She responded quite opposite, “I love them. I love the pressure.”  Now that’s the kind of kid a coach wants the results of the match riding on. 

With only one team match left against Rolla on Monday, Sept.18^th, the rest of our season will be either Varsity-only or JV-only tournaments. 

Singles

Lauren DeMalade vs. Emeline Yorty, 3-8

Klementyna Cichocki vs. Sarah Gill, 4-8

Chloe Trusty vs. Hayley Hershenson, 6-8

Heather Emerson vs. Amelia Anderson, 4-8

Blaire Smith vs. Madison Fleetwood, 3-8

Tiffany Bell vs. Megan Hardin, 9-8 (8-6)

Doubles

Cichocki/Trusty vs. Yorty/Hershenson, 2-8

DeMalade/Emerson vs. Gill/Anderson, 3-8

Smith/Bell vs. Fleetwood/Hardin, 5-8