11U Girls National Finals Report
The girls team travelled to Nottingham to play in the Finals in the 11U County Cup following a fantastic win in the group play-offs. Megann who played 2 for us in the qualifier unfortunately couldn't make the finals so our team consisted of Anaiya, Anamaya, Lillian, Sayaka and Kashvi. The other county to have got through the qualifier round was Dorset; Middlesex, Surrey, North of Scotland, Berkshire, Kent and Warwickshire all got straight through on rankings. The 8 counties were divided into two boxes, with Cambs playing Surrey, Dorset and Kent in their box and wherever you finished you played the opposite number in the other box.
First up for the girls was Surrey. Kashvi playing at 4 was first on against Tegan. A fantastic effort from Kashvi. It was her first time playing for 11&U county team and won 4 games from her opponent to lose 2/4, 2/4. Lillian was next match on at 3 against Stacey. It was neck and neck through the first set, both players going for their shot with some fantastic winners from both taking it to a tie break. Stacey made a few less errors using more topspin on her shots to win the tie break 7-4. The momentum carried on into the second set with Lillian unable to find her rhythm losing 4/1 in the second. Anamaya was at 2 playing Olivia. Olivia hit hard through the court and although Anamaya tried her best to keep the ball deep, Olivia was too strong and won 4/1, 4/0. Last to play singles and playing the number 1 spot was Anaiya. She took on Lainee, ranked 8 in 11U. Anaiya fought hard but Lainee just made more quality balls in court to win 4/0, 4-1.
Into the doubles, Kashvi and Lillian paired up against Emily and Olivia. Some excellent points were played but Surrey were too strong and were able to attack at the net; Cambs lost the first set 4/0. Cambridge started to take some risks and attack more which won them 2 games in the second, 2/4.
Anaiya and Anamaya played together against Lainee and Imogen. Cambs quickly adopted a 2-back formation which won them a couple of games - solid hitting from the back. Surrey started to be craftier at the net and their volleying got better which gave Surrey the win 4/2, 4/0. A tough first county to face in the first round.
After a well needed lunch break the girls were back on against Dorset who had just lost in a shoot-out to Kent. Starting again with number 4 singles, Kashvi took on Morgan. Morgan hit strong shots, but Kashvi kept her cool and came up with some cracking return winners herself to take the first set 4/2. This pattern of attacking groundstrokes continued into the next set and with unforced errors creeping in for Morgan, Kashvi took the second set 4/1. First win for the girls! Lillian’s match followed against Aimee, both players were big hitters, in the first set Aimee made a few more winners to take it 4/1. Lillian had a fighting come back, being more positive with her striking, making less errors from 3-1 down in the second to take it to a tie break which Aimee won 7-3. Anamaya was playing at 2 and took on Heidi. This was a very close match which could have gone either way. Anamaya was quicker to start, finding the lines of the court excellently and moving Heidi round the court well and winning the first set 4/2. Heidi seemed to find some bigger shots in the second set and out powered Anamaya who was doing her best from being on the back foot to take it 4/2 and into a match tie break. Heidi's momentum continued and won 10-4. Anaiya was the last to play her singles at 1 against Lara. Anaiya fought hard but Lara was just that bit more consistent with pace to win 4/2, 4/1.
It was 3-1 to Dorset going into the doubles, still a chance. Anamaya and Kashvi paired up and took on Aimee and Scarlett. They lost the first set 4/0 but came back fighting and adopted 2 back positioning to get themselves to a second set tie break which they couldn't quite convert and lost 7-10. Anaiya and Lillian partnered as our pair 1 and played against Heidi and Lara. Lara and Heidi started strong, and errors were being made by Cambs, to lose the set 1/4. In the second set, Lillian and Anaiya started to attack more and pulled out some amazing volleys to take the second set 4/1. Into the match tie break which Dorset just edged 7-10.
Day 2 - Last county to play in our box, Kent. They had beaten Dorset in a tie break shoot out yesterday, so we knew that we were in for some close matches. Rain early morning disrupted play and the girls warm up consisted of squidging the courts! First matches on were Saya v Genevieve at 4 and Lillian v Eva at 3. Saya stayed focused and unflustered throughout her match, and even though Genevieve had bigger shots, she was missing a lot and getting frustrated. Saya's excellent mindset and consistency won her the match 4/1, 4/2 just before the rain started again and we moved into the bubble. Lillian and Eva had very similar playing styles, both liking to go for their shots. Eva won the first set 7-3 in the set tie break; Lillian won the second set 7-3 in the set tie break. Into the match tie break, Lillian made a few tight errors early on to give Eva a lead which continued so Kent won 10-5 in the match tie break. Next up Anamaya who played Tilly at number 2. Anamaya had a fantastic start, going 3-0 up. Her spin, accuracy and consistency caused problems for Tilly; however, Tilly came back fighting and hit harder to take us to a set tie break which Kent won 7-5. Anamaya battled hard but couldn't quite take control of the points, losing 4/2 in the second. Anaiya at 1 was playing Miller. Another tough match for Anaiya and although Anaiya played some amazing shots, but couldn't quite pull though, 4/1, 4/1 Miller.
Doubles after lunch, it was 3-1 to Kent so all to play for still in the doubles. Lillian and Saya paired up as 2nd pair against Mia and Tilly to out skill the opposition at the net. Saya's consistency complimented Lillian's attacking style well and gave Cambs the win 4/3, 4/0. Anaiya and Kashvi paired up as our 1st pair against Miller and Eva. Our girls overcame some emotions in the first set, learning the importance of supporting and encouraging each other to make them feel good and play better. Although some good points we played, Kent were too strong and won 4/0, 4/0.
This concluded the group stage, and although we hadn't won, we had some very close rubbers, coming down to just a few points. Day 3 we took on North of Scotland, who on paper had a similar journey to us so far this weekend. Our team were in good spirits and came out fighting! Kashvi played Sasha at number 4. Kashvi played attacking tennis and made many stunning return winners to win the match 4/2, 4/2. Saya was playing at 3 against Calleigh and got off to a great start going 3-0 up. Calleigh began to make more balls and came back to win in the set tie break 7-5. The second set was very close, Saya with her steady shots and incredible defence took us into another set tie break, this time Saya winning it 10-8. Saya continued her focus into the match tie break to win it 10-5. Great effort! Anamaya played Lily at 2 and Anaiya played Maisie at 1, both girls played with great intention and showed their skills in their singles matches to win 4/0, 4/0 and 4/1, 4/1 respectively. Doubles to follow, our second pair Saya and Kashvi played Olivia and Calleigh. First set was close with both teams going for their shots. We headed into a set tie break which Cambs won 7-5. Some better net play from Kashvi and Saya won them the second set more comfortably 4/2. Last match of the weekend, Anaiya and Anamaya paired up and took on North of Scotland's first pair Maisie and Lily. The first set was close, some very long and entertaining points with some excellent doubles strategies put into practice, resulting in a set tie break win for Cambs. Overall Anamaya and Anaiya came out on top winning 4/3, 4/1.
A huge congratulations to all involved, the parents for supporting and the girls who fought brilliantly across the weekend, even better to end on a win!
You did the county proud. Looking forward to next year where the girls will come back fighting as a stronger team, with new lessons learnt and tactics to put into practice.
Jasmine Smith – Captain
