The Team was: Ivana Maynard, Victoria Ernsberger, Scarlett Doman, Kirsty Da Silva, Mia Zhou, Harriet Burley, Katie Hart, Lily Bebbington
Captains: Debbie Hale and Lisa Hanley
Day 1 vs Cambridge
It was a tough first day against the host County and their team was filled with National players. Katie (6) and Harriet (5) started the day off with some good tennis and both girls fought hard. Mia (4) and Kirsty (3) went on next and, unfortunately, they started playing the wrong opponents so we had to concede these two matches. Scarlett and Victoria went on for the final singles and Scarlett had the closest score line 2-6 3-6 and Victoria was competitive in first set 6-3 but was out played by her opponent in the 2nd.
In the doubles, which was much closer battle, we teamed up Kirsty and Mia and they lost in a 3rd set champs tiebreak. Established doubles pairs Victoria and Katie lost out 2&3 and Ivana and Scarlett, another established team, came on to win a rubber for us.
Overall score 8-1 loss
Day 2 vs Suffolk
We played the same team format and Suffolk were an extremely tough team on paper. Katie had another tough match, though the score line didn’t show some good tennis played. Harriet played a great match and got us our 1st singles win of the weekend. Mia and Kirsty followed, Mia was competitive but couldn’t get herself across the line in the 2nd set. Kirsty’s opponent was very skilful and therefore managed to outplay her. Victoria and Scarlett faced very vocal and intimidating opponents our girls gave the best they could. They played some great tennis at times and the opponents showed the level. Tough for our girls in the singles.
The doubles remained the same – Kirsty and Mia at 3rdpair stole is our 2nd win of the day in a really great display of doubles. Victoria and Katie played unbelievable doubles and were holding their own against two strong players, they lost the 1st 4-6, the second set was narrowly lost on sudden death deuces. Ivana and Scarlett were facing a couple of big hitters and as a result it was extremely hard to take advantage of the points.
Overall score 7-2 loss
Day 3 vs Nottinghamshire
On the final day we were playing to stay or to be relegated, with two long days of up early, late nights we tried to encourage the girls to be in bed and asleep for the final day. As they live and learn how tiring the weekend is.
We stuck with the team order, Katie started well, with the first 5 games being quite close and contested but her opponent was just too strong. Harriet had a closely fought battle sneaking the 1st set 7-6 and then stormed to a 5-0 lead in the 2nd, for her opponent to claw her way back with some great tennis. As Harriet got a bit tighter it was all about getting control of the emotions. At 5-5 stealing the game with some brave tennis at to go 6-5 up, the team were on edge of the seat. It went into another tie break, which was close until 4 all and Harriet stormed away to steal the win. Mia played well and kept her game plan and composure and got her 1st singles win of the weekend putting us 2-1 up. Kirsty stormed into a 1st set and took the set 6-4 then her opponent came back at her and lost the 2nd set and then even though battled in the 3rd ran out of steam. The match was level 2 all.
Scarlett and Victoria playing some high-level opponents faced an extremely tough ask and although Scarlett gave a good first set losing out 3-6 her opponent then upped the level in the 2nd. The team 4-2 down and all to play for in the doubles.
After a brief team chat about the fitness and injuries in the team, the team felt that sticking with the pairs was our best option to take all 3 rubbers. Our previous training was now to hopefully count. Victoria and Katie at 2nd pair and Mia and Kirsty at 3rd all started together.
Kirsty and Mia played their best doubles yet, great doubles movement leading to great net play claimed 1 rubber back 6-1 6-4. The 2nd pair felt the nerves and were unlucky to lose 1st set 5-7, so going on and telling them that they were close and to play the same way be cleaner in sudden death points stole the 2ndset 6-4, a tiebreak followed to decide if it will be 4 all or the overall tie. They really held on and showed great determination using the volleys, the movement and discipline of sticking cross court. Won the match 10-5 in the championship tiebreak. The match was tied.
With Ivana and Scarlett facing a tough pair, they had to play high level to gain the win, the nerves and quality from opponents were too much in the first set 2-6 however the 2ndset found their feet a little more and was close, they lost a few sudden death points and lost the set and match.
A closely contested final day losing 5-4 and relegation.
We have time with this team so we are looking forward to developing and building.
For full results, please see: https://competitions.lta.org.uk/sport/draw.aspx?id=439F0857-6A59-4D7A-9854-D2777BBF5BD7&draw=1
Debbie Hale – 18U Girls County Captain
