Wow. Whether it be rain-soaked courts, three-hour matches, or coaches' tempers flaring at each other, today's match had it all.
It was a blustery day, and when we arrived at Powderhorn Park, the courts were wet enough that Coach Novak and South's coach were trying to plan another date to play. In the end, we couldn't find another day to play, so we decided to wait it out. The courts did dry, and we started around 4:15. However, the park only has five courts, meaning that #4 singles (Andy Harris) and #3 doubles (Jeremy Steinman/Clay Thompson) had to wait until other matches finished in order to start.
There is no doubt that South is a very good team. They eliminated us from the section tournament (in the semi-finals) last year. But, they don't have the greatest reputation in high school tennis. Apart from a history of iffy lineups (playing weaker players higher up in order to win at lower positions), South is very loud on the court. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with cheering, and I encourage it. After all, high school tennis is a team sport. This being said, the level of noise the South players produce is borderline obnoxious. Note: this may be my opinion, but it is shared by a majority of the Minnesota high school tennis community.
Now, to today's match. Due to Kenny's band concert, and some other adjustments, our lineup was a little different today. #1-4 singles: Ryan, myself, Manny, Andy Harris. #1 doubles: Brandon Rabinowitz/Andrew Rust, #2: Zach Miller/Andy Novak, #3: Jeremy Steinman/Clay Thompson (Clay's first varsity match).
Initially, all five matches were tight, except for Manny's 6-0 first set. Both Ryan and I went to first set tiebreaks: Ryan lost, I won. #1 doubles lost their first and #2 won theirs. Again, #4 singles and #3 doubles had to wait.
As the match went on, the weather got a little nicer, and the matches became more intense. Ryan and I had tried to prepare the team for this match, we knew exactly what to expect. The team seemed to take a little while to find a groove, but we got moving in our second sets. #1 dubs won their second set, Manny's opponent tried to stage a comeback, but Manny won in straight sets, and #2 dubs closed out their match. Hopkins 2, South 0.
As Andy and #3 doubles began to warm up, Ryan and I were locked in tight matches. Ryan played Noah Sprinkel, and I played Noah's brother, Jesse. Ryan won his second set to push his match to a third and final set. My set lasted longer, and after having five or six (don't know exactly) match points on Jesse's serve at 5-4, I ended up losing the set in a tiebreak, 8-6. I've got to give a ton of credit to Jesse, every match point I had, he would come up with incredibly clutch shots.
Andy Harris lost to South's #4 in a tight match. Although he started over an hour after us, Andy was off the court before Ryan or I finished. Just after Andy lost, #1 doubles lost in their third set. Hopkins 2, South 2.
I try not to pay too much attention to matches other than my own, but I must admit that I'm usually well aware of what is going on with the team. Ryan was on the court next to mine, and I was confident that he would close out his match in a third set. Sure enough, he took it, 6-3.
Meanwhile, I still had a match to play. I got an early break in the set, but at 4-3, I was broken back to even the set at 4-4. I managed to break him back, and had a chance to serve for the match. I told myself that I was annoyed with hitting ground strokes, so I decided to serve-and-volley on all of my points. Four points later, I had won the set 6-4. With only #3 doubles remaining, the score was Hopkins 4, South 2.
Shortly after finishing, I happened to check the time on my phone: 7:19. Three hours. Not very quick, but a win's a win. Unfortunately, in light of my band concert tonight, I (and Andy Harris) had to leave soon after my own match, but I did see #3 doubles battle back from a one-set deficit to win the second. They ended up losing the match, but Jeremy and Clay they got some invaluable experience today.
I hate to end on a bad note, but I must mention the altercation between coaches during the match. Coach Novak apparently said something to my opponent after he did made a comment to Novak. The South coach found out, and while my match was going on, their argument escalated. I don't know all of the details, but I'm sure it was a case of overreaction from both sides.
Final score: Hopkins 4, Minneapolis South 3.
After today's great win, we've got to regroup for tomorrow's home match against Spring Lake Park.
Until then,
Michael
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