The Lady Titan tennis team played host to the Heritage Hills Lady Patriots on April 16. The Lady Patriots looked to score a win on Titan turf but were unable to make it happen. Two singles player, sophomore Tali Maurer, won both of her sets, 6-2 and 6-1. Three singles player, Emilee Bullock, won her sets, 6-4 and 6-2. One doubles players, seniors Lilly Schmitt and Gabby Smitha, won both sets, 6-3 and 6-2. And, the two doubles team of juniors Emily Holzmeyer and Maddie Boes won in two sets, 6-4 and 6-3.
Holzmeyer and Boes expected a win but knew not to let their guards down. They knew that if they really wanted this win over the Lady Patriots, they were going to have to work hard for it.
“I was expecting to win, but I knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Boes said.
The beginning of the match was challenging for the junior duo, especially trying to adjust to the weather conditions.
“The first couple of sets were a struggle because of the wind,” Boes said.
Even though there were some struggles with strong winds and a few technical aspects, they still pulled through, which played a factor in the team’s win against Heritage Hills.
“Me and Maddie usually play together and work well together,” Holzmeyer said.
“It’s easier to play when you are already such good friends with your partner,” Boes said.
Maurer found her way around her opponent’s strengths to benefit her own style of play.
“I had a hard time returning her serves; she had a lot of speed on them and hit them very wide,” Maurer said. “Once she hit a few, and I figured out where to stand and how to position myself, I didn’t have much trouble after the first couple of games.”
Assistant coach Kyle DeBord was impressed with the girls’ singles and double matches.
“Our singles were able to dictate the flow of the point and dictate at the net,” DeBord said. “For doubles, we were able to overpower them by being first to the net.”
Overall Gibson Southern won 4-1 against Heritage Hills, consistent with the Lady Titan’s score against them last year.
“We are looking to improve with each and every match,” DeBord said. “We are able to see certain aspects of the players’ game improve during the match, as well as the team.”
