GRC took on one of the top teams in the conference in Byron Center yesterday, and came away with an impressive 5-3 victory! The singles lineup consisting of Ainsley Weeber at #1, Natalie Poortenga at #2, Alex Vermeulen at #3, and Kaitlyn Schmitt at #4... all achieved victories and were the first 4 off the court. Alex Vermeulen had a very impressive bounce back after losing the first set, she went on to only lose one game in the next two sets after making a really good adjustment to her opponent's game. 

The doubles matches ended up all being very competitive and grind-it-out matches. #3 doubles of Olivia Cook/Hope Alvesteffer were the first to finish and get the win in an impressive fashion. #2 doubles Alyssa DeVries/Calista Bremer lost in a really close 3 set match and gave it their all to the very end. The last match on was #4 doubles Betta Klein/Alexia Meeuswen and they ended up having a match duration time of 3 hours and 15 minutes! Down 4-5 in the third set, Alexia and Betta fended off 5 match points to eventually take that game and the next one. Alexia had the play of the day on match point where a ball was hit on the opposite side of the court from her and she proceeded to unremarkably chase it down and got the ball back in play to where the team was shocked and missed the next shot. The set ended up going into a tie break where they just came up short losing 6-8, but I was proud of the nerves and calmness this team showed with everyone watching and not giving up even when the pressure was on.

The Eagles next match day on Saturday may be their toughest match day yet where they will face 3 top 7 division 3 opponents in FHE, Cranbrook, and Chelsea. Go Eagles!