WHITTIER
Location: Whittier, CA
Coach: Ben Belletto (2nd year)
Final 2013 rank: NR
Final 2012 rank: NR
Finished Fall #10 in West
Entered Spring #12 in West
Finished Spring #7 in West
Current Rank: #38 Nationally & #7 in West
Meagan Zamilpa – #8 in West
Meagan Zamilpa/Gabi Etchegaray – #13 in West
Key Losses:
Liliana Serylo
- In her senior season, I feel like Liliana won the matches she was supposed to win and lose those she was supposed to lose in terms of ranking (except for her win over Sewanee).
- While she had a good run at the ITA’s in the Fall by winning the Consolation, that form didn’t carry over.
- In Doubles, she fared better in her final Spring with wins over La Verne, Chapman (twice) and Sewanee.
Adrienne Hamada
- I really like saying her last name. HA-MA-DA! (Idk it’s just fun to say, isn’t it?? Okay, moving on…)
- Hamada had a strong conclusion to her Poet career by finishing as the 25th ranked doubles team in the nation and the #7 ranked doubles team in the West with Meagan Zamilpa. Adrienne also won the Consolation draw at the ITA West Regionals in the Fall (Singles).
Overall, Hamada’s leadership and skills will be missed on the Poet squad, something that might not be replicable right away.
First up: a quick recap of last season:
The POETS were close yet far away last season. Nearly upsetting Brandeis and Bates with decent results against La Verne and Chapman. They also defeated UT-Tyler.
Moving to the 2014-2015 season…
ITAs was the only event for the POETS in the Fall. Meaghan Zamilpa brought the best result, a semifinal appearance. She also brought a Doubles Quarterfinalist appearance with Gabi Etchegaray before falling to Ward/Kuosman of CMS.
Schedule Analysis (by month): http://www.wcpoets.com/sports/wten/2014-15/schedule
February (what’s left of it): #37 Bates, #29 Whitman, #39 UT-Tyler, Linfield, Lewis & Clark
Interesting remainder of the month for the POETS with #37 Bates on Friday. Bates is slightly top heavy with Mandzukova and Erbafina holding down the top two spots. However, I think Zamilpa (if healthy) can take #1. Seeing as Whittier has solid, consistent players in their singles lineup, I feel that whomever is up after Doubles will take this match. My prediction: 6-3 Bates. (since proven correct, I’m psychic, I swear) #29 Whitman will host the Whitman Winter Classic once again. As I said in my preview for that team, Whitman will have to battle to snag this victory. I am sticking with my prior prediction. 5-4 Missionaries. #39 UT-Tyler is a good matchup for the POETS up in Walla Walla, I feel that the Patriots are in a growing phase for their program as is Whittier with both squads looking to make headway. I see this match as being tight after doubles but the POETS taking some close singles matches at the bottom of the lineup. 6-3 Whittier. Linfield and Lewis & Clark are two teams that we all should watch out for coming from the PNW. Linfield nearly took down #15 La Verne this weekend. We will have to wait and see if that result was truly legit but if so, they could be a force this year. As of now, I am going with 5-4 Linfield but that’s a shaky prediction, I gotta say. L & C could be interesting as that team is up and coming for sure. Until they have a match and a Pioneer lineup is set, it’s a tough call. This one is 6-3 POETS.
March: #22 Mary Washington, Rochester (NY), #28 Denison, #9 P-P, #5 CMS
#22 Mary Washington is a talented squad that is improving every year. I am picking them 7-2 in this match because I think they have more depth than the POETS. Rochester (NY) and #28 Denison provide a great opportunity for the POETS. I think that if Whittier can come in with a ton of energy and fight. They will pull out two wins here, both 5-4. #9 P-P and #5 CMS are two tough tasks for Whittier. I am calling for P-P to defeat Whittier 8-1, with Zamilpa winning her contest and CMS will win 9-0.
April: #19 Redlands & #15 La Verne
#19 Redlands is a tough task for the POETS come April. This match is favorable but if the POETS can come in with energy and fight, an upset is possible against a weaker than previous year Redlands squad. My predicton: 6-3 Bulldogs. #15 La Verne is very top heavy, this year especially. I actually didn’t mention this match in my La Verne preview but I should have (oopsies)….Zamilpa has a big game, I saw her practice recently and dang girl, she hits it! But can she sustain that over a steady Andrea Madrigal? I don’t think so… 7-2 Leopards
May: SCIAC Tournament, NCAA Team and Individual Tournaments
I can see Whittier battling into the SCIAC tourney but falling in the Quarterfinals to Redlands. Zamilpa may have a chance at NCAA Individuals should she be able to repeat previous successes.
Proposed Lineup Analysis:
#1 Doubles: Meagan Zamilpa/Gabi Etchegaray
This tandem could be very solid. Zamilpa has the power and experience. Etchegaray brings a strong attitude and athleticism. Overall, I see this team winning a few big matches and the ones they should win, finish #9 in West.
#2 Doubles: Benay Weintraub/ Alexis Agustin
Interesting pairing here because both players are pretty solid singles players….but can they bring it on the doubles court? I think they may struggle this season against higher ranked teams because they will go through these girls at the net.
#3 Doubles: Ruthie Kaplan/ Terianne HA-MA-DA
This sophomore duo looks to improve in both experience and skill in 2015 following limited prior action.
#1 Singles: Meaghan Zamilpa
A solid #1 for the Poets over the last few seasons with some strong results and some question marks. Will she be healthy for an entire season? Can she put together all of the tools to carry a squad? These questions will be answered. In 2014, she pulled out wins over CMS and La Verne.
#2 Singles: Gabi Etchegaray
Had a tough 2014 at #3 with only one ranked win (Brandeis). Moving to 2015, she will need to really step it up in order to make up for the move. If she can take any motivation from her sisters, I think she can do a respectable job at #2.
#3 Singles: Benay Weintraub
Fell in most of her matches against ranked opponents last season (defeat Bates and Chapman twice). Moving up to #3 could be a tough ask, she will need to put in the work to battle in this spot.
#4 Singles: Alexis Agustin
Had solid wins at #s 5 and 6 last year over Bates, Brandeis and UT-Tyler. I feel like #4 could be a big step up for her as she might get hit through in this position.
#5 Singles: Ruthie Kaplan
A sophomore also looking for more experience following one match played last year.
#6 Singles: Laura Roston
A first-year looking for more experience in 2015.
Ok, my previews are done! Please look out for my future posts throughout the season! In addition, we are doing a coaches interview in March. If any coaches are interested, please email me at d3westwomens@gmail.com
See you on the courts,
D3WW