Shanghai Cup Tennis
While sunlight and soaring temperatures beat down over the courts, the SAS Puxi tennis team ended a weekend at Shanghai Cup with major success in tow.
Both the girls’ and boys’ teams were victorious against their SAS Pudong counterparts, winning overall by 4-3 and 5-2 respectively. Highlights included freshman Ethan Wang and senior Edward Chen’s 6-4 doubles win, sophomore Tony Seol’s 6-5 singles win, and Claire Huang’s solid 8-4 lead in her singles game. “I was able to detect my opponent’s weaknesses and play through that,” Huang says.
According to coach Philip Kittower, Shanghai Cup has proven to be a “good warmup, a friendly match,” which has given players “a chance to identify where they need to focus practice.” With China Cup coming up in just a week, the players are seizing the opportunity to get in as much practice and improvement as possible. “We are able to build upon each others’ skills and point out our weak points,” Huang says.
Indeed, the stakes are high, given both teams’ strong performances at last year’s APAC. Nonetheless, the players and coaches are confident that there will be many more successes this year. “I’m very sure of the boys this year,” says Kittower, citing the boys’ teams impressive 3rd place finish at APAC last October. The girls’ team is similarly hopeful that their stellar performance record will continue through this season. “Last year, our girls’ team was able to win Super APAC,” says Huang. “I hope for the same this year.”
Lydia Ying
Shanghai Cup Volleyball
Both the Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys volleyball went undefeated this weekend. The Varsity Girls Volleyball won 2-1 against Puxi JV1, 3-0 against Pudong, and 2-0 against CISS. The Varsity Boys Volleyball came out with similar results, winning 2-1 against SMIC, 3-0 against Pudong, and 3-0 against Concordia. Here are the two highlight games from the weekend
Shanghai Cup started out as a match between two Puxi teams— the girls Varsity and JV1 teams went head to head last Friday. In the first set, JV1 started out strong, gaining a 10-5 lead. With strong attack performances, Varsity managed to bounce back and tie the score at 13-13. Both teams had strong serves, but Varsity’s own errors cost them the first set, and JV1 won 25-22.
Despite losing the first set, the Varsity team’s energy was not lowered. “It’s always hard to lose the first set.” Dila Karababa said. “But when I see everyone looking back at me and telling me thats it’s ok to make mistakes, I get more motivated and it makes me play better.”
In the second set, Varsity started out with a 10-6 lead. Even though JV1 saw chances to cut the lead, Varsity still finished on top, winning the second set 25-10. The third set was close, with no lead ever larger than 3 points. After Varsity earned their 10th point, they closed the game out, winning the last set 15-10. The game ends, and Varsity came out victorious, 2-1.
Winning is obviously important, but when asked about the team’s success, Dila continuously referred to the team’s dynamic. “What makes us a great team isn’t winning games; what makes us great is the bonds we have with each other and the positive encouragement and feedback for each other.”
“Everything is connected; if the libero doesn’t receive the ball, the setter can’t set, and the hitter can’t spike,” Dila concluded, “everyone’s equal, not just whoever gets the point.”
The most intense moments of Shanghai Cup came in the first two sets in the games with the Puxi Varsity Boys team against CISS Varsity team. In the first set, CISS started out with the lead. Puxi was trailing the entire set, but CISS gained their largest lead after their 22nd point, with Puxi behind by 6 points. After CISS earns their 23rd point, with the score 18-23, Puxi proceeded to start a remarkable comeback. “When we were down big in the first set against concordia, we
were able to rally together and score 8 straight points to win the set.” Aaron Gong said of the notable moment.
However, the second set was just as intense— this time, the roles were reversed. Puxi started out with the lead, with the largest of 5 points until they earned their 20th point. CISS then proceeded to cut the lead, eventually tying the game at 22-22. Due to Puxi’s own errors, CISS then gained their first lead of the set, with the score at 24-22, a point away from winning the set. However, with good serving and attacking performances, Puxi cut the lead to tie at 24-24. Both teams then went back and forth in taking the lead, up until the score of 27-27. In two excellent attacking possessions, Puxi took the set to seal the game, winning 29-27. Puxi then went on to win the third set to conclude the match.
“As a team, I feel that we communicated well on the court and had high energy, which is key in volleyball.” Aaron said on what contributed to the wins. “For future games however, we need to learn how to brush off mistakes and pick each other up after those mistakes.”
“This weekend was a success but there’s still a long season ahead and tons of opportunities to improve.” Aaron concluded.
Alice Qin
Shanghai Cup Baseball
On September 1st last Saturday, Varsity boys baseball played against SAS PD and Concordia in Shanghai Cup. Through the sweltering heat and pressure of an away game, the team managed to beat SAS Pudong 4 - 1, although they lost to Concordia 10 - 4. Despite the loss against Concordia, the team continues to stay in high spirits with a very hopeful look for the future. Unfortunately, Aidan Dungan did not pitch at the game this Saturday due to an overextended LCL. Warren Beard - left fielder - shares that "having one of our pitchers injured didn't stop us from competing the second we got on the baseball field." Overall, Shanghai Cup was an explosive and resilient start to the baseball season that displayed the boys' ability to adapt and persevere even in the face of challenge. "I think that this shanghai cup was very successful in helping us become more of a team. We worked together and made big steps in building team chemistry," says catcher Nolan Young, "Our win against Pudong definitely uplifted our spirits. I am very proud of this baseball team and know we will be prove to be a deadly challenge a China Cup and APAC.
Eddy Xu
While sunlight and soaring temperatures beat down over the courts, the SAS Puxi tennis team ended a weekend at Shanghai Cup with major success in tow.
Both the girls’ and boys’ teams were victorious against their SAS Pudong counterparts, winning overall by 4-3 and 5-2 respectively. Highlights included freshman Ethan Wang and senior Edward Chen’s 6-4 doubles win, sophomore Tony Seol’s 6-5 singles win, and Claire Huang’s solid 8-4 lead in her singles game. “I was able to detect my opponent’s weaknesses and play through that,” Huang says.
 |
| (photo courtesy of Activities Council) |
According to coach Philip Kittower, Shanghai Cup has proven to be a “good warmup, a friendly match,” which has given players “a chance to identify where they need to focus practice.” With China Cup coming up in just a week, the players are seizing the opportunity to get in as much practice and improvement as possible. “We are able to build upon each others’ skills and point out our weak points,” Huang says.
Indeed, the stakes are high, given both teams’ strong performances at last year’s APAC. Nonetheless, the players and coaches are confident that there will be many more successes this year. “I’m very sure of the boys this year,” says Kittower, citing the boys’ teams impressive 3rd place finish at APAC last October. The girls’ team is similarly hopeful that their stellar performance record will continue through this season. “Last year, our girls’ team was able to win Super APAC,” says Huang. “I hope for the same this year.”
Lydia Ying
Shanghai Cup Volleyball
Both the Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys volleyball went undefeated this weekend. The Varsity Girls Volleyball won 2-1 against Puxi JV1, 3-0 against Pudong, and 2-0 against CISS. The Varsity Boys Volleyball came out with similar results, winning 2-1 against SMIC, 3-0 against Pudong, and 3-0 against Concordia. Here are the two highlight games from the weekend
Shanghai Cup started out as a match between two Puxi teams— the girls Varsity and JV1 teams went head to head last Friday. In the first set, JV1 started out strong, gaining a 10-5 lead. With strong attack performances, Varsity managed to bounce back and tie the score at 13-13. Both teams had strong serves, but Varsity’s own errors cost them the first set, and JV1 won 25-22.
Despite losing the first set, the Varsity team’s energy was not lowered. “It’s always hard to lose the first set.” Dila Karababa said. “But when I see everyone looking back at me and telling me thats it’s ok to make mistakes, I get more motivated and it makes me play better.”
In the second set, Varsity started out with a 10-6 lead. Even though JV1 saw chances to cut the lead, Varsity still finished on top, winning the second set 25-10. The third set was close, with no lead ever larger than 3 points. After Varsity earned their 10th point, they closed the game out, winning the last set 15-10. The game ends, and Varsity came out victorious, 2-1.
Winning is obviously important, but when asked about the team’s success, Dila continuously referred to the team’s dynamic. “What makes us a great team isn’t winning games; what makes us great is the bonds we have with each other and the positive encouragement and feedback for each other.”
“Everything is connected; if the libero doesn’t receive the ball, the setter can’t set, and the hitter can’t spike,” Dila concluded, “everyone’s equal, not just whoever gets the point.”
 |
| (photo courtesy of Activities Council) |
The most intense moments of Shanghai Cup came in the first two sets in the games with the Puxi Varsity Boys team against CISS Varsity team. In the first set, CISS started out with the lead. Puxi was trailing the entire set, but CISS gained their largest lead after their 22nd point, with Puxi behind by 6 points. After CISS earns their 23rd point, with the score 18-23, Puxi proceeded to start a remarkable comeback. “When we were down big in the first set against concordia, we
were able to rally together and score 8 straight points to win the set.” Aaron Gong said of the notable moment.
However, the second set was just as intense— this time, the roles were reversed. Puxi started out with the lead, with the largest of 5 points until they earned their 20th point. CISS then proceeded to cut the lead, eventually tying the game at 22-22. Due to Puxi’s own errors, CISS then gained their first lead of the set, with the score at 24-22, a point away from winning the set. However, with good serving and attacking performances, Puxi cut the lead to tie at 24-24. Both teams then went back and forth in taking the lead, up until the score of 27-27. In two excellent attacking possessions, Puxi took the set to seal the game, winning 29-27. Puxi then went on to win the third set to conclude the match.
“As a team, I feel that we communicated well on the court and had high energy, which is key in volleyball.” Aaron said on what contributed to the wins. “For future games however, we need to learn how to brush off mistakes and pick each other up after those mistakes.”
“This weekend was a success but there’s still a long season ahead and tons of opportunities to improve.” Aaron concluded.
Alice Qin
Shanghai Cup Baseball
On September 1st last Saturday, Varsity boys baseball played against SAS PD and Concordia in Shanghai Cup. Through the sweltering heat and pressure of an away game, the team managed to beat SAS Pudong 4 - 1, although they lost to Concordia 10 - 4. Despite the loss against Concordia, the team continues to stay in high spirits with a very hopeful look for the future. Unfortunately, Aidan Dungan did not pitch at the game this Saturday due to an overextended LCL. Warren Beard - left fielder - shares that "having one of our pitchers injured didn't stop us from competing the second we got on the baseball field." Overall, Shanghai Cup was an explosive and resilient start to the baseball season that displayed the boys' ability to adapt and persevere even in the face of challenge. "I think that this shanghai cup was very successful in helping us become more of a team. We worked together and made big steps in building team chemistry," says catcher Nolan Young, "Our win against Pudong definitely uplifted our spirits. I am very proud of this baseball team and know we will be prove to be a deadly challenge a China Cup and APAC.
Eddy Xu
