A Tense Match

Tonight Meg had a match with Westview.  It almost didn't happen as Westview had a make-up match with a conference team and was going to cancel on Bethany.  They did finally agree to play it after their one with Prairie Heights, which meant that the girls wouldn't get onto the court until at least 6 p.m.  The upside to playing so late was that Doug could come home and get me, so we could ride together.  Cam had had an open court after school.  He didn't want to go to the match.  Since we weren't going to Bloomington afterward, he did not have to.  

We left at 5:30 wondering if the match would even be played.  Westview did not have lights, so if it ran late they would have to take it up another night.  By the time we got there, however, Meg was on the court warming up.  We called and let my parents know so they could head to Topeka as well.  Meg's match started out a tense one.  The girls were of even talent and the first seven games brought long rallies and a lot of nice points.  At 3-4 with Meg serving she hit a winner to give herself the advantage in a game of multiple deuce scores.  Everyone was shocked when the Westview player called the ball out.  It was in by at least four inches and was easily seen by all of those in attendance.  No one said anything, but Meg looked at us and then at her opponent and said that she disagreed with the call.  The girl told her that she was "pretty sure" that it was in.  Meg knew at that point she would win the argument.  This had been the fourth bad call that Westview had called and fortunately it was the last.  Meg pointed out where her ball hit and the girl gave her the point.  Not one parent or fan watching disagreed with Meg. 

From that point on both of Meg's coaches watched the lines.  As the other courts matches were ending at the beginning of Meg's first set, she soon had the largest crowd of the season cheering her on.  Either the crowd or the blown call rattled Meg's opponent and Meg went on to win nine out of the next ten games moving her to 12-0 on the season.  Not only was it a great second set.  She hit the best shot of the night on the last point to end the match.  She started jumping up and down while everyone cheered from the sideline.  

Meg thanked everyone for coming and then happily headed off with her team.  Doug and I stopped for dinner at 41 Degrees North in downtown Middlebury.  It reminded us both of Hunter's in Nappanee.  It was great to relax and talk about the success that the Heinisch children have found this past month.  Between IU and Bethany they have all thrived academically and in their extracurriculars as well. It has been a lot of work for them and support from us, but well worth the time and effort.