In the past three seasons since I've been coaching, we've always had competitive matches with the Timberwolves but have always come up short. We've dropped some close matches 6-2 or 5-3 losing 2-4 3 set matches each team. This season we have really been focusing on making a collective effort each match to be successful, starting with the warm-up, consistency with shots, focus level, and energy level throughout each match. It takes a collective, sustained effort in all of the aforementioned categories to beat a tough team, especially on the road, and our guys did so in this match. We shuffled our line-up a bit with regular singles stud Bradyn out sick, but guys stepped up in their new roles and played well.
In singles, we were only able to win one of four matches, but all four guys gave it their all. Nathan played a very athletic foe who had handed him his only two regular season losses last year, and again got the best of him. However, I was very pleased as Nathan increased his consistency as the match progressed, and lost over five games at sudden-death deuce points. The beauty of a round robin schedule is he will have another crack at his Tualatin foe in the next match. Reza played at the No. 2 spot for us in the match and played a tough, gritty freshmen. Although he lost in two sets, Reza played a consistent, solid match mentally, while pushing through some arm and leg cramps. Eventually, he dropped the second set in a tiebreaker; the culmination of a two set match that lasted longer than 2 hours. At No. 3 singles, Cody secured our only singles point of the day. Despite giving blood earlier in the day, Cody battled through his match and won in 3 sets against a very talented opponent in a 3-set match that took less time to complete than Reza's 2-set battle. Great job today Cody! Lastly, Bobby stepped into the No. 4 Singles spot for us and battled a tough sophomore opponent, losing in straight sets.
The doubles line-up today showed us what Grizzly tennis is all about! They all came out firing, controlled the net, and played good aggressive tennis - all things we have been practicing over the past few weeks. Will and Adam continued to assert their dominance at the No. 1 singles spot in our league winning decisively in this match. Nicky and Brendon continued to show their cohesiveness and intensity as a hard-crashing doubles team to win against a team that had been playing No. 1 for Tualatin for most of the season. Isaac and Wyatt battled through a rough start to come back with authority and win at No. 3 for us. Lastly, Daniel and Austin took control of the net from the very first game to earn the 5th and clinching victory for us! I want to recognize all of our players, fans, parents, and other supporters who have put in a lot of time over the past few seasons to get us to this point. It has taken the efforts of an entire program and community, but we have finally accomplished that victory over the Timberwolves! Game ball today went to Nicky and Brendon for an outstanding effort from start to finish in their match. This was definitely one of my proudest days as coach of the team over the past four years - right up there with our district championship run in 2010. Go Grizz!
McMinnville 5, Tualatin 3
Singles
1. Randall Tainer def. Nathan Johnson 6-3, 6-1
2. Ryan Malinowski def. Reza Refaei 6-4, 7-6(4)
3. Cody Thomas def. Dahn Nguyen 1-6, 6-2, 6-2
4. Michael Rinker def. Bobby Orth 6-0, 6-1
Doubles
1. Will Worth/Adam Kiff def. Josh Olsen/Spencer Hayashi 6-1, 6-4
2. Brendon Walters/Nicky Domenichini def. Tyler Snyder/Davis Loen 6-3, 6-2
3. Wyatt Waterbury/Isaac Balwit def. Mitchell King/Jared Welter 7-5, 6-3
4. Daniel Post/Austin Wiley def. Brandt Gehrs/Dakota Steppe 6-3, 6-3
JV - Won
Game Ball - Brendon/Nicky
The next day we hosted Tigard. Tigard always gives us a good battle and are well coached. Tigard is much improved and solid especially in doubles. In my opinion they have four doubles teams that could all be very successful playing at the No. 2 spot in most line-ups throughout our league. Despite their improvement, our players came out firing after collecting a big win very Tualatin and carried over their energy and confidence into this match. Even without one of our regular starters in singles, our squad showed its depth once again today as we won 6-2 over a talented Tigers team. Game ball went to Isaac and Wyatt for a hard-earned, three set win at No. 3 Doubles that included some fantastic pure doubles points. This win puts us at 5-1 overall, with a 4-1 record in Pacific Conference play. We currently sit in 2nd place out of 8 teams in our league and look to continue our successes this upcoming week as we travel to Century on Tuesday and host Glencoe on Friday (rescheduled again!)
McMinnville 6, Tigard 2
Singles
1. Nathan Johnson def. Alex Piatski 6-2, 6-2
2. Reza Refaei def. Kento Aizawa 6-2, 6-2
3. Cody Thomas def. Keenan Cabrera 6-1, 6-2
4. Harrison Liu def. George Zakaib 6-2, 6-0
Doubles
1. Will Worth/Adam Kiff def. Brian Josephson/Andrew Roloffs 6-1, 6-3
2. Brendon Walters/Nicky Domenichini def. Nial Raja/Willy Maddox 6-2, 6-0
3. Wyatt Waterbury/Isaac Balwit def. Mitch Davis/Mark Hall 7-6(7), 5-7, 10-8
4. Tanner Ahl/Sam Copelan def. Daniel Post/Austin Wiley 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
JV - Won
Game Ball - Wyatt/Isaac
Thanks to all for your continued support, especially the food for the guys and coaches!
Go Grizz!
