Change of Tactics - Rush The Net

by Jean Gelner Blievernicht
(Southfield, MI)

(Many years ago) I was in a northern college where we had no indoor facility. Consequently I only played a couple of months in the spring for our season. I went home in June and entered a local tournament. In the finals I was playing a very good high school player who also played tournaments often.

I lost the first set 6-0 and it really was 6-0, nothing close about it. I decided I had to do something, so I started rushing the net on my serve and any other time I could. I ended up winning (don't remember the scores) in 3 sets.

There was no way I should have won that match, but due to a lack of experience on her part and my change of tactics, I did win.

Footnote: A few years later this player was ranked in the top 10 in the United States. I certainly would never have beaten her then.