On Wednesday, Aug. 28, the girls varsity tennis team had a close match against Plainfield Central but couldn’t quite keep up with their players in a 1-6 loss for the Knights.
Through the players’ and coach’s eyes, they all know they could have performed better, but there were different factors that played into each match. The 90-degree heat was a huge part of their games, and it affected each player differently.
“I don’t think the girls played up to what they could do,” head coach Beth Miller said. “I think the heat played into that too.”
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, the girls varsity tennis team had a close match against Plainfield Central but couldn’t quite keep up with their players in a 1-6 loss for the Knights.
Through the players’ and coach’s eyes, they all know they could have performed better, but there were different factors that played into each match. The 90-degree heat was a huge part of their games, and it affected each player differently.
“I don’t think the girls played up to what they could do,” head coach Beth Miller said. “I think the heat played into that too.”
Miller also gave each girl individual feedback after sets. Most pieces of feedback were different for each player, but Miller had one big piece of advice for everyone. Number two singles player and senior Lauren Babka got that big piece of feedback after one of her sets.
“I was told to move my feet more, because when it’s hot I tend not to move my feet to save my energy.” Babka said.
With losing the first set 2-6, winning the second set 6-2 and going deep into the third set, Babka had a really good run. Even though she lost the match , she felt that there were some positives throughout all three of her sets.
“I definitely could have played better,” Babka said. “But I do think that I did well coming back in the second set.”
One of Kaneland’s number one doubles players, senior Olivia King, found a bright side in her match. Instead of taking the defeat, King and her doubles partner junior Laina Ariola turned their match into a learning experience.
“We switched the mindset of having it be a practice rather than a match,” King said. “Because sometimes you just have to take the [loss].”
When King viewed the match as more of a practice, she learned different skills not only about tennis, but about her mindset and energy. She pointed out how Miller stopped and talked to her and Ariola after a set and told them about their energy level. King took what Miller told her and applied it to her next set.
“It’s in our heads, and we need to shake off the nerves,” King said. “And I need to channel my energy differently.”
Each player learned something different and was told by Miller they are getting better. The girls will play their next match at home against Glenbard North High School on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Miller also gave each girl individual feedback after sets. Most pieces of feedback were different for each player, but Miller had one big piece of advice for everyone. Number two singles player and senior Lauren Babka got that big piece of feedback after one of her sets.
“I was told to move my feet more, because when it’s hot I tend not to move my feet to save my energy.” Babka said.
With losing the first set 2-6, winning the second set 6-2 and going deep into the third set, Babka had a really good run. Even though she lost the match , she felt that there were some positives throughout all three of her sets.
“I definitely could have played better,” Babka said. “But I do think that I did well coming back in the second set.”
One of Kaneland’s number one doubles players, senior Olivia King, found a bright side in her match. Instead of taking the defeat, King and her doubles partner junior Laina Ariola turned their match into a learning experience.
“We switched the mindset of having it be a practice rather than a match,” King said. “Because sometimes you just have to take the [loss].”
When King viewed the match as more of a practice, she learned different skills not only about tennis, but about her mindset and energy. She pointed out how Miller stopped and talked to her and Ariola after a set and told them about their energy level. King took what Miller told her and applied it to her next set.
“It’s in our heads, and we need to shake off the nerves,” King said. “And I need to channel my energy differently.”
Each player learned something different and was told by Miller they are getting better. The girls will play their next match at home against Glenbard North High School on Thursday, Sept. 5.
