2016 Season Preview: #33 Depauw Tigers

Coach: Scott Riggle (8th year)

Location: Greencastle, IN

Preseason Rank: 33

Twitter Handle: @DepauwTennis

Overview: Another team to talk about in the Central and another team I get to talk about that has been on the decline. The Depauw Tigers have been sliding a little bit each year. While they have hung on to a top 30 ranking the last few years, it’s been a struggle. It was only 10 years ago when Depauw was a top 5 team in the country. Yes that means I am old. Last season, Depauw only had one win of significance and that was over NC Wesleyan which happened because they swept doubles and squeaked out two wins in singles. Sorry, but not sorry that I am not counting two wins over Denison as significant. Depauw will always be a solid doubles team because they are very disciplined, but each of the last five years, they have lost a top player and not replaced him with any big recruits. The way I see it, they are a team full of solid #4 players from 1 to 10. That won’t get you very far against national level teams that have strength at the top and an even deeper lineup. For success this year, Depauw will lean entirely on doubles and depth.

Lineup Analysis:

#1 Singles – Alex Kaczkowski (Sr.) —  Kaczkowski has had a relatively successful college tennis career in terms of record. He was the sole reason why Depauw beat NC Wes last year taking out a Kjellberg led top doubles team and beat Sikh (who likely will play 1 this year) in a tight three sets. Those are two massive underdog wins. So I don’t want to scoff at what he is capable of. However, I do see the step up to the top spot being a difficult one for the senior. Alex has a big game where he hits a massive serve and some big ground strokes, but its a go big or go home style that will prove difficult to be consistent with at the top spot.

#2 Singles — Patrick Farrell (Jr.) — In my humble opinion, Farrell is the best player on Depauw’s roster. He doesn’t have the flashy shots that Kaczkowski has so he gets forgotten a bit. He actually has a direct win over Alex at the Depauw fall tourney. Farrell is a little guy with a solid baseline game, but no real weapon. He will cause problems for big hitters who are missing or unable to hit three or four big shots a rally. He made the round of 16 with a good win over Kenyon’s Turlington. That win should give him some confidence as well as the team’s chances at giving the NCAC champ a run for their money in April.

#3 Singles – Dan Rodefeld (Jr.) – I had high expectations for Rodefeld as he transferred in from D1 program Bradley as they dropped their program. I wouldn’t say Rodefeld had a bad season, he just didn’t do anything to rave about. He does add to the depth of the team and also plays a similar style of Farrell. Interesting note is that they are from the same high school. Carmel is always a powerhouse. Rodefeld is a good 3, but would be a phenomenal 5. Unfortunately, Depauw doesn’t have the horses to push him down lower.

#4 Singles – Harold Martin (Jr.) – I might have Martin a bit high in the lineup, but this is where he landed in their only dual match of the fall. Martin was predominantly a doubles player last season and found a lot of success at the #3 dubs spot. Because most of this Tiger team is interchangeable, I expect them to have success at the back half of the lineup. I do believe there is a drop off from Rodefeld to the rest of the team, but the talent and development is there for 4-6 to be successful.

#5 Singles – Matt Santen (Jr.) — I like Santen quite a bit and I am not sure why. It might be because he has shown he can be successful for Depauw. If he plays #5, he will continue that success and be a crucial part of the Tigers lineup. They are going to need consistent winners at 5 and 6 and I think they will get it with Santen. He is 31-11 over his two years in the singles lineup which is very respectable.

#6 Singles – John Daseke (Jr.) — I don’t have a lot to add on Mr. Daseke as he hasn’t played much in Depauw’s lineip. I think #6 will be somewhat of a revolving door and finding out who is playing the best on any given week. The positives of that is there are quite a few who have the talent to win here with a couple of freshman in the mix as well.

The Other Guys – Nate Wallace: I’ve got to give Wallace a shout of for winning the B draw at ITAs this fall. While that seems like not a big deal, its a 64 man draw with a lot of lower level players from Case, Chicago, and Wash U. So Wallace may find his way in the lineup every so often. Wallace also won two rounds of doubles in the main draw with Daseke.

Doubles – The good thing about having so many experienced guys in a program that preaches disciplined doubles is that they are going to have plenty of choices in who they throw out there. Farrell and freshman Matt Quammen were the highest seed for the Tigers at ITAs, but if that team sticks it out at #1, it will be a stack. Let’s wait and see if they stick with that before I point any fingers. Kaczkowski played at the top last year and should again only because he hits the ball hard enough to potentially find himself in a winning position. Personally, I would put Farrell and Rodefeld at #2 and they will be very good. Whatever tandem they throw at #3 will also have success.

Schedule Analysis

http://depauwtigers.com/sports/mten/2015-16/schedule

I am not going to waste my time talking about the first four matches as they really don’t matter. After that, the Tigers get into a tough stretch that could see them struggle mightily with a few dangerous matches or they could perform as expected beating teams they should, but falling to the more talented rosters. Chicago will dominate because they are far too talented not to. Gustavus will equal or better the Tigers in doubles which will squash any upset bids there and Wash U will also be too good for Depauw.

Spring break brings a couple matches that Depauw better not take lightly in Oberlin and Carleton. The Tigers should win, but if they find themselves down after doubles, things could get interesting in particular against Oberlin as they will have two very good doubles teams. I think the Tigers will win both of these matches, but have a tough match against Whitewater to follow.

After that, Coe is another match that should be interesting to watch. Coe is always hungry to get a premier win although I am not sure they have ever gotten one. This is definitely a chance, but being in front of Depauw’s rowdy drunk fraternity crowd will make it difficult. As always, the Denison match is huge.

Finally, the NCAC tournament is an interesting one. Kenyon is a bit down and so is Denison. With that, if Depauw is healthy and puts a scare in the Lords after doubles, anything is possible. I don’t see it happening, but it wasn’t long ago that Depauw swept Kenyon only to lose the next five singles matches.

Conclusion

I think the year for Depauw is going to be rather boring with not much change in year’s past. I think they win the matches they are expected to win (Denison, Coe, Oberlin, etc) and lose the matches they should lose (Chicago, Gustavus, Wash U, Whitewater, and Kenyon). I am not sure if their reputation will keep them in the top 35, but without a clear national level win, it will be hard to make a case for them.