Waynesville took a loss tonight against an experienced Osage team, dropping 0-9.  This opponent beat us 0-9 last year as well, and brought back 5 of their 6 Varsity players from last year. We knew tonight would be a challenge. I was very proud of how we played though. My girls look so much stronger than they did in their first match. They played well and kept their matches close against such a strong team. 

Starting with doubles, the Tigers were faced with a very strong net front for the first time this season.  At #1, Heather Emerson and Lauren DeMalade competed against a team who played a very aggressive 2-man front.  With both opponents attacking net nearly every point, the Tigers had trouble getting the ball past this aggressive Osage wall. At #2 doubles, I was proud to see just how much Kristen Sneed and Blaire Smith have grown as a doubles team. Unfortunately, Osage beat us with awesome placement. We definitely need to become more aggressive at net to put away any shot we’re given. At #3 doubles, Alexuz Pesantemercado and Vashti Hernandez played against another team with wonderful placement.  Their first year playing together, this duo is working to better their communication and learn each other’s playing styles. Alexuz has spent a lot of personal time working on her serves out of practice though, and that was evident tonight. Her serve allowed them to take a more offensive position on court and many points were won strictly on serve.  

Down 0-3 walking into singles, Waynesville had a lot of work ahead of them.  Blaire Smith played a very close match at #4, pulling ahead a couple times throughout the match.  Unfortunately, her opponent ran her to a 5-8 loss.  Suffering from a bad case of shin splints, this was a torturous game for Blaire. She has such a drive to compete though and always gives her best, no matter what. She worked her butt off out there tonight and played a very close match, despite the 5-8 final score. Heather Emerson had the hardest match of the night at #1 against a very consistent Osage opponent. Each point lasted at least 10-15 rallies a piece, which are long points at the high school level. Heather held her to a really close score the whole match, even taking the lead a couple times.  Only falling 6-8 in a game of Deuces, this match was very well played and still a match to be proud of.  Kristen Sneed also played a close match against a tough Kylie Misenheimer.  Kylie plays year-round and competes in multiple USTA tournaments in the off-season. For this being Kristen’s first year on Varsity, I was also very proud of how well she competed at #3. All Tigers gave their all tonight. 

With a very busy schedule ahead, the Tigers will take on Smith-Cotton at home on Wednesday and Camdenton and West Plains on Thursday.   

Singles

Heather Emerson vs. Eliza Koeppen, 6-8

Lauren DeMalade vs. Elise Davis, 2-8

Kristen Sneed vs. Kylie Misenheimer, 3-8

Blaire Smith vs. Natalie Brick, 5-8

Vashti Hernandez vs. Lillian Davis, 1-8

Alexuz Pesantemercado vs. Zoie Turner, 5-8

Doubles

Emerson/DeMalade vs. Koeppen/Davis, 5-8

Sneed/Smith vs. Misenheimer/Brick, 2-8

Hernandez/Pesantemercado vs. Davis/Turner, 1-8