Yesterday was the Section Tennis Tournament. We began our day bright and early, the girls were on the bus by 7 and warming up by 7:45 and play began around 8:30. Long cold/hot/sunny/cloudy/rainy day.... CRAZY Alabama weather! Morning was cool and we were wrapped up. I didn't take many pictures but tried to get one of each match. The top picture is of the first doubles match of the day. Arab defeated Southside 10-1! Whoo hoo! They started out a little nervous and playing a little tense until Alexis clocked Kacey upside the head... hard with a serve, then after some laughter and Advil it was just what they needed to lighten up and laugh and start having fun! Isn't it just like God to give us just what we need when we need it even when its a knock upside the head! :)
(Picture above is of the Girls warming up to play Scottsboro in Semi-Finals)
By the next round the sun was out and it was muggy...
They were more into the groove and they won 10 - 3
Below is the end of the game hand shake!
The girls celebrating acting silly excited they made it to the finals!
Greg has always gave Alexis Lessons and has worked with Kacey some and has gave the girls doubles lessons! He keeps it fun and takes some of the stress out!
Time to eat and get ready for first round of Singles!
Kacey Singing :)
The above picture is Kacey warming up for her first round of singles. She played Fort Payne. After a brief mental struggle around 3-2 she came back and won the next 7 sets and won the match 10-3. So proud of her mental toughness... it was hot and muggy! And her third match of the day. They are physically and mentally draining.
The above picture is Kacey warming up for her semi-finals in Singles. She played Sylacauga. Kacey was winning 5-0 when the other girl went up to hit a shot and pulled a muscle down her back under her shoulder blade. She took her 15 minute medical break and had to forfeit the rest of the match. I hated it so bad for her. :(
So Kacey didn't have long to rest and then had to go right to the Singles final Against Cullman. Maybe 15 minutes.
The about picture is in the finals, it had started to rain at this point but it didn't last long thankfully. Talk about some determination and mental toughness. The finals were best 2 out of 3. Kacey won the first set. Well not easy it was a fight but she won 6-4, the second set she won 7-5. As a Varsity player it was the first time she has ever defeated Cullman in Singles and she was thrilled.... THRILLED!
Coach B, giving Kacey a pep talk during a change over.
This was her fifth match of the day and she was getting exhausted, during that second set she was feeling it. But her victory gave her the title of Section 4 Singles Champ Seed 6!
Way to go sweet girl!
She could absolutely not wait to sit down.... She was so ready... "just let me sit."
Proud of my girl, she worked so hard for it.
Papaw! You can see half of Dad! ;)
Way to go KJN!
Getting some Papaw hugs!
Kacey and Coach Burkes. This is her last year, Kacey has played under her for 4 years, she will be missed.
Trying to make herself eat. Actually Barbara in the background was helping with that. Trying to get her to eat. At this point she was just tired, she didn't want to eat or drink anything....
Getting ready for what she knew would be a tough match. Kacey and Alexis beat Cullman in Dothan after losing in a tie breaker during regular season. Kacey lost in a close match to their singles opponent as well so Cullman changed some positions and the girl she played in Singles didn't play doubles so when they met in singles Kacey was playing her 5th match of the day and she was playing her 3rd. So when they played the doubles team they had changed them around and at least one of their girls playing doubles did not play singles so she had "fresh feet and arms". So while Alexis and Kacey were on their 6th match of the day they were on their 3rd! They knew it wasn't going to be easy! Skill is a lot but fatigue is a battle all it's on after all those hours...
On the the finals of doubles. The above picture was taken at the start of the third set for doubles.
It was a tough tough match.... The match started in the heat, the third set started as the sun was setting and it ended close to 10 o'clock... what a fight...
Kacey and Alexis lost the first set 3-6, won the second set 6-4 and then the third set tied at 6-6 so they went into a tie breaker, it was nerve racking LOL!
It was tough for me watching my exhausted baby try so hard for something wishing you could help and I did what I could, which is pray, Pray for her health, energy, witness, and heart.... I was worried about her heart. They ended up winning the tie breaker 7-5
When that last shot went out and those girls realized it the picture of their faces was priceless! They fought sooo soo hard.
Coach hugs
These girls were the last match of the night and just this match lasted almost 3 hours... They wanted to win... their coach figured it their final alone they played 32 games plus 12 tie breaker points.
Look at that face! :)
Overall in the tournament we took second behind Cullman
Way to go Knights!
These girls played so hard!
A blurry picture of my Singles and Doubles Section Champion!
Her biggest fan club!
Coach Greg
Coach Phil
Alexis, Alana and Kacey
Blurry but I had to post this one too...
Proud of these doubles partners and
so proud of Kacey, not for winning as much as how
she played, her integrity and her fight. I definitely saw a hope
and want too in those eyes, so so thankful for this young lady.
Now, on to State...
Can't wait to see how the rest of this season ends! ;-)
But in the mean time I know one tired, Dad, Sister, Mom and Champ that need some serious resting up! :)
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