The undefeated season survives another day! Today's match was a true battle, we came through with a 4-3 win. Big ups to #3 doubles (Kenny Novak/Andy Harris), who, with the team's match on the line, won their match 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Like Coach Novak said to us after the match, even if we had lost, there were many positives to take from today. What seemed uncertain at the beginning of our year has turned into our strength: #2 (Brandon Rabinowitz/Andrew Rust) and #3 doubles took charge and won their matches. Despite their loss, #1 doubles (Zach Miller, Andy Novak) also played very well.
After being the first one off the court yesterday, I was feeling good coming into my own match today. Playing #2 singles again, I was pretty content with my performance, and thought I fought well, but I lost 2-6, 3-6. I think I've found the reason for my defeat: I forgot my high socks! Like every pro tennis player (except Mardy Fish, of Edina) that wears high socks, I don't remember the last time I played with low-cut socks! I'm just kidding, I've got to give credit to Kai Skallerud, my opponent today, who thoroughly deserved to win.
It was tough for me to see Jeremy Steinman, playing his first varsity singles match at #4, put in a great effort, but lost his match pretty handily. Before I finished, I saw #2 doubles come away victorious and #1 fall short, so after my match ended, the score was: Blake 3, Hopkins 1.
Just after I finished, Ryan, playing #1 singles, finished off his match in straight sets, doubling our team's score. Now, with just Manfred (#4 singles) and #3 doubles remaining, we needed both matches to earn a team victory. Both teams were crowded around the fence by the doubles, but everyone was keeping an eye on the singles match. After winning his first set, Manny was in a second-set deadlock. Up 4-3 and serving, he was broken (lost the game while serving) and ended up going down 5-4. But he got the break back, and was back on top, 6-5, at the next changeover.
Meanwhile, #3 doubles, had won their second set 6-1 after dropping the first 4-6. Now in the third, the match was dead even at 3-3 in the set. Just as they earned a break point in the seventh game of the set, Manny let out a big "LET'S GO!!" meaning that we had just tied the team's match at 3-3.
Andy and Kenny capitalized on the break point and went into the changeover up 4-3. After a few words of wisdom from Coach Novak, they went on to hold Kenny's serve and break to win the match. Final score: Hopkins 4, Blake 3.
After taking down the second-ranked team in state yesterday, we followed it up with a defeat of the sixth-ranked squad.
Spring Lake Park on Friday, again at home. It's supposed to snow, but hopefully that stays away and we have another beautiful day for tennis.
Until then,
Michael
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