Rock Bridge girls tennis set three distinct goals this year, according to head coach Ben Loeb.
The first was winning the Class 3, District 4 title. That was the bronze goal for the Bruins as they defeated Hickman and Grain Valley by a combined score of 10-0 for the team’s 27th consecutive district crown.
Rock Bridge’s second goal, or the silver goal, was to make it to the Class 3 Final Four. The Bruins somewhat accomplished that goal, defeating Cor Jesu Academy 5-0.
“The silver goal was to make it to the Final Four, with an asterisk on that silver goal, to at least finish in the top three,” Loeb said.
Sometimes when you get to the Final Four, there is a “happy to be there” vibe. But this year is different for Rock Bridge. The Bruins, who as a team have won 17 consecutive matches, have a final goal to win a state championship.
The Bruins will have an opportunity to accomplish that goal on Thursday, Oct. 30. Rock Bridge will compete against Liberty in the semifinal round. The winner will take on the victor between John Burroughs and St. Teresa’s Academy.
It’s the team’s 23rd Final Four in 30 years. An accomplishment that is almost unbelievable by Loeb, who has helped orchestrate the Bruins program.
“That’s crazy. I mean, that’s nuts,” Loeb said. “Going to 23 final fours in the last 30 years is beyond comprehension. I don’t know of any other team that can do that. Maybe you get a private school, but as far as public schools go, that’s an amazing feat.”
While Loeb has overseen a lot, he mentions that it wouldn’t be for the efforts and commitments of the athletes he’s seen. This year, the Bruins roster is a bit unique. Rock Bridge replaced its No. 4-7 players in the lineup from a season ago.
“We had to replace all of our depth, and we had three girls come in who have been working hard at it and be able to step in,” Loeb said.
Representing the Bruins against Liberty are Kate Kimes, Jenna Lin, Rebecca Stamose, Ellie Brooks, Malia Hanson, and Olivia Beucke.
“They’ve done a very good job.” Loeb said. That’s a lot to ask, and we certainly have needed to redevelop our depth and help our cause. We can’t win with just three players. You have to have more than that.”
Individually, the team has already made noise this past week. Kimes and Stamose teamed up in the doubles tournament, winning their second consecutive title over Jun Ross and Mayumi Ross of John Burroughs.
Loeb called it one of the best performances in Rock Bridge tennis history.
While the team agrees that Loeb is a great motivator, one thing that separates the Bruins is their focus on the mental aspect of the game.
“We get a lot of mental practice,” Beucke said. “I don’t think a lot of teams are focusing on the mental aspects of tennis, which I think is a huge factor.”
The team focuses on breathing during matches and in between points, as well as other techniques that help relieve the pressure in any contests.
“He has handouts for us twice a week that we do in the middle of practice, and he wants us to use those before matches, sets, and during matches,” Lin said.
The calm, cool, and collected Bruins have their work cut out for them. Liberty is 21-3, and on the other side of the bracket, John Burroughs is one of the two teams the Bruins have fallen to this season. In order to achieve their final goal, Loeb preaches to be strivers, not arrivers.
“I talked to the girls about that,” Loeb said. “Arrivers are people who are content with where they’re at now. Strivers are striving together to try and achieve personal and collective excellence.”
Rock Bridge will look to strive this Thursday. It will play Liberty at 9 a.m. If they win, the Bruins will play at 3 p.m. in the state final.
