After two razor-thin losses and with Van Wert coming to town, the Bryan Girls Tennis Team was looking to recapture the momentum that got them off to a fast 5-1 start.  The Lady Cougars came into the match with an impressive 4-1 record, but the Lady Bears  battled and won the big points to take the match 4-1.

 

It didn't look good for the Bears early as Van Wert won the opening sets at first and second singles 6-1 and 6-0 respectively.  Things weren't going much better at first doubles as Van Wert opened up an early 3-0 lead.  

 

But then things got interesting.

 

Bryan first doubles tandem of Cassie Lawson and Ali Saneda made a big come back to tie it up at 6-6 and send the set into a tie-break.  Both teams had the lead at various times, but it was Lawson and Saneda who won the big points to take the tie-breaker at 7-5.

 

Meanwhile at second singles, Bryan's Tiffany Short made a miraculous turnaround in the second set after getting blanked in the first.  She capture the second set 6-0.  It would be Short's third match in a row that would go three sets.

 

"Tiffany has played three hours in each of her last three matches," said Bryan Tennis Coach Mitchell Owens.  "Physically, she was spent heading into that third set."

 

Not to be outdone in the drama, Bryan's second doubles team of Sydney Snider and Jessica Wittler were tied at 5-5 in the second set after easily taking the first set from the Cougars.  Snider and Wittler would pull out the match taking the second set 7-5 to give the Bears their first point.

 

Van Wert countered moments later when the Cougars' Katie Etter completed a straight set victory at first singles to tie up the match.

 

After rallying for the first set win, Bryan's Lawson and Saneda traded games with their opponent throughout the second set until they broke serve at 4-4 and went on to win 6-4.

 

"We have goals for each of our matches this year," commented Owens.  "Today our focus was on doubles.  Sticking to the fundamentals and be patient. Both of our doubles teams did a great job of that today."

 

With the third singles match taking the court last, Bryan's Megan Steel opened up with 6-3 first set win while Short continued to battle in the third set but found herself down 4-3.

 

"Talking with Tiffany in the third set when she was down 4-3, she could barely stand up.  She was definitely running on empty," remarked Owens.  "I told her it was a classic case of mind over matter.  She needed to tell herself she wasn't tired.  She had to make herself believe she had something in reserve."

 

Short got a quick win out of the break to tie it at 4-4 and found renewed energy as she closed out the set taking three straight games in a dramatic 0-6, 6-0, 6-4 win.

 

As Short was making her comeback, Steel was having her way with her opponent in the second set as she gave the Bears the 4-1 win in her straight set victory.

 

"After the ride we've been on this last week, they need to name a roller coaster at Cedar Point after this team," reflected Owens after the match.  "They've certainly churned my stomach enough to last me the season."

 

 

Results:

 

SINGLES

1st -  Kattie Etter (VW) def. Linda McDonagh (B): 6-1, 6-3

2nd - Tiffany Short (B) def. Paige Dunlap (VW): 0-6, 6-0, 6-4

3rd -  Megan Steel (B) def. Rachel Chen (VW): 6-3, 6-2

 

DOUBLES

1st -  Cassie Lawson/Ali Saneda (B) def. Tracy Nygen/Claire Butler (VW): 7-6 (7-5), 6-4

2nd - Sydney Snider/Jessica Wittler (B) def. Sydney Dull/Ali Moreland (VW): 6-1, 7-5

 

Season Record: 6 - 3