August 25, 2017 at 2:30 p.m.
Hodag netters blank Phillips
Hodag netters blank Phillips
The Loggers brought only six players to the match and forfeited three flights as a result. The other four matches went quickly. Rhinelander dropped a total of three games and the meet wrapped up just over an hour after the scheduled 5 p.m. start.
Coach Bob Heideman said Thursday's matches were less about playing against Phillips and more about playing against the game.
"I told them before don't play Phillips, play yourself," he said. "Challenge yourself on doing things right because the tendency in these matches is to sometimes lose your focus and then play goes down and it's not good.
To that end, Heideman said the match was successful. Belinda Weddle was a quick 6-0, 6-0 winner at No. 1 singles while Alex Oestreich won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2 singles. Both were working on mechanical aspects of their game.
"Alex has been having some trouble with her serve and I thought her match was a good way to kind of groove back that serve," Heideman said. "Belinda's been trying to get some more topspin on her strokes and I thought she took a little step there."
Livi Roberts and Alexis Pyrchalla were 6-1, 6-1 winners at No. 1 doubles while Madi Losch and Alexis Pyrchalla won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles.
"The doubles teams, I thought, were picking their spots better when they volleyed," Heideman noted. "As a result, when you do that, points end quicker. I think that's especially important for No. 1. They tend to get into these lobbing games that go on for a long time and if you can end points quickly, I think that's really to your advantage."
Emma Roberts and Kenedy Van Zile received forfeit wins in singles while Jackie Wells and Savannah Chartier received a default win in doubles.
With four open courts, Heideman took the opportunity for some junior varsity players to play exhibition matches.
"We really don't play much regular games during practice. This is for some of these people ... it's real valuable experience. I like what I see there, too," Heideman said.
Rhinelander (9-3, 4-0 Great Northern) travels to Lakeland Tuesday.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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