Coaches want their teams to be playing their best tennis at the end of the season and Brownstown Central’s Mitch Taylor feels as if his team is definitely headed in the right direction after beating Seymour 3-2 Thursday on the Owls’ courts.
It was Taylor’s first win over Seymour in his fourth season coaching the Braves.
“We got this moved to a later date,” he said. “Usually it’s a Friday match and it gets rained out every year since I’ve been here. This is actually my first win over Seymour, so it’s nice to finally get one.
“I know things will be different in sectional. If we see them again we’ll be ready for them. I think they competed really well and put up a good fight. They had some really strong players across the board.”
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The Braves swept singles while the Owls (6-12) dominated doubles.
Brownstown’s Ethan Isaacs was a 6-0, 6-1 winner over Hunter Heckman at No. 1 singles, Ethan Davis topped Reuben Kruse 6-2, 6-1 at No. 2 singles, and Cole Shasteen rallied to top Trevor Alberring 6-1, 6-4 at No. 3 singles.
Shasteen trailed 4-1 in the second set and bounced back to give the Braves the decisive point.
“It is a very large victory,” he said. “We came in confident and gave it our best. We didn’t know what to expect from Seymour. We pulled one out today.”
Shasteen said he switched from doubles to singles halfway through the season and likes the role.
“We decided to switch up the lineup to see how it would work and it’s went fairly well, I would say," he said.
“I enjoy going one-on-one. Winning the first set is definitely a big part, but I would say the biggest part is staying consistent throughout the match. We can’t underestimate any team in the sectional.”
Taylor emphasized the first-set lead.
"Getting that first set, especially as a singles player, makes it so much easier to know when you’re up a set and your winning everything becomes a little bit easier," Taylor said.
“You’re a little more comfortable with your swing. You trust stuff a little bit better. You’re more confident, so getting off quick in singles is huge."
Taylor has today his players this is the time to play sharp with championship weeks looming.
"Going into sectional and just for confidence for our guys and trusting themselves and knowing we can beat good teams," he said. "We can win the championship this year if we’re out there playing our best tennis.”
Owls coach Sharon Wood gave credit to Brownstown.
“It was a very strong match," she said. "My compliments go out to Brownstown. They were well-coached. Their singles players came out strong in the beginning, ready to play, and maintained that throughout the match.
“I felt our singles players came out a little sluggish. This was our third match this week. We can’t make excuses. We’ve just got to make sure from that first serve, that first point of the game, that we’re ready to come out and play our game.
“We need to get in the drivers’ seat, we need to get on our offense. We’ve got to believe in what we do."
Seymour’s Brandon Hubbard and Andrew Levine topped Reece Carlin and Griffin Stidam 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles, and Eli Meyer and Joe Schmidt were 6-0, 6-1 winners over Conner Gwin and Grant Elliott at No. 2 doubles.
“I’ve played a few matches at one and a lot at two," Meyer said of his current position. "There is definitely less pressure at two because they just don’t hit as hard as one doubles."
Meyer said being left-handed helps him against some foes.
I’m confident in my slice," he said. "My slice is definitely the strongest part of my game. I’m left handed and it spins to the right. A lot of people don’t expect it. “
Meyer said the Owls need to be more consistent in the sectional.
“We need to be more consistent in the singles and finish out points," he said. "Everybody needs to keep their head in the game.”
The Braves are 11-3 on the season and have won four straight matches since losing to Borden. The Braves will travel to Austin Monday and can gain a share of the Mid-Southern Conference title with a win.