2018 Season Preview: #15 Case Western Reserve University

It’s Season Preview Time !

tl;dr: Case will have a more successful year than last relying on the strength of the middle of their singles lineup, but will need to have other areas step up to get back into the NCAA conversation. On It. Double Flip. 

Starting off the central region will be the Spartans of Case Western Reserve University. Last year, Case tied their record for wins in a season with 22, but unfortunately ended outside the national conversation with a sixth place finish at UAAs (Losing to Brandeis) and zero NCAA competitors for the first time since the 2010-2011 season. Case will be looking to bounce back from that less than stellar season a year ago (by Case Standards), and will be looking for some instant production from any of their eight (per Case’s UTR page) first years.

Key Additions: Matthew Chen (11.97), Joshua Hsia (10.84), Earl Hsieh (11.19), Jonathon Powell (10.97), Aris Jhaveri (10.56), William Grier (10.40), Austin Lawrence (10.02), and Neil Mabee (Unrated)

These first years will be aiming to replace five players that have done a little bit of everything for Case: on and off the court.

Key Losses: Adam Collins (Doubles), Freddy Daum (1 Doubles), Kevin Dong (4 Singles), Josh Dughi (5 Singles), and Phil Gruber (2 Doubles)

Collins, Dughi, Dong, Daum, Gruber

These five players (and fifth-year Fojtasek) helped to propel Case to their best finish ever during their freshmen campaign and they must be commended for their efforts in bolstering Case’s tennis program. So, with our #KhakiCam set on Cleveland, Ohio, let’s get down to business and see what Coach Todd has cooking in Northeast Ohio…where nothing is given, everything is earned.

Highlights:

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Conference: UAA

Coach: Todd Wojtkowski

Assistant Coaches: Ben McClarren & Wade Heerboth

ITA National Ranking: 15

ITA Regional Ranking: 4

THE BLOG Ranking: 18

Power 6 UTR: 70

Twitter Handle: @casetennis1 Since there doesn’t seem to be a consistent Case Hashtag, I’ll just shoot out some ideas: #KhakiCam #CaseIsThePlace #ThePlaceIsCase #SpartanStrong #OnIt #DoubleFlip

Projected Lineup 2017-2018:

1 Singles: James Fojtasek (11.58)

Fojtasek, aside from the injury year, has been a rock in the Case lineup. His run began his freshman year at 4 Singles when Fojtasek clinched Case’s berth to the NCAA Elite Eight with a three set win over then CMU freshman: Kenny Zhang (a missed overhead match point that was savagely replayed over Drake’s We Made it for the 2013-2014 Hype Video). Soon after, graduations forced Fojtasek to move up the lineup and the style of play at the top of the lineup was a difficult switch for the grinder from Texas. After an up and down year at 1 Singles last year, I predict that Fojtasek will do exceedingly better this year and push for the 10-13 spot in the central’s regional rankings. The fifth year will be looked to as a leader and I expect OG D3Central’s favorite player to take that challenge head on.

2 Singles: Matthew Chen (11.97)

The highest ranked freshman will be called on, early and often for the Spartans. Chen had a very fair ITA in the Fall, falling to the eventual finalist (Kerrigan). His UTR page has Chen playing tournaments and opens at an almost bi-weekly rate, which can only put smiles on Todd’s face. While the growing pains of college tennis will come, I expect Chen to hold this spot for the season because Case has no problem playing freshmen high in the lineup (maybe negatively? see Rajupet 2 Singles record last year).

3 Singles: Robert Stroup (11.47)

 

Think Klawitter but more. Stroup has been a consistent performer for Case and the hometown hero will look to continue his knack for clinching big national wins this upcoming year. I think that Stroup headlines Case’s strength (at least it needs to be) this year: 3-5 singles. While Fojtasek may be a push at most national matchups at 1 and with Chen being a relative unknown, Case will rely heavily on their middle of the lineup guys to consistently get them singles points and I think that Stroup will be up to the task.

4 Singles: Sam Concannon (11.75)

Props to this Photographer

A GiantkillerKiller. Concannon announced himself to the central region with his upset win over Luke Tsai, but those who paid attention last year already knew that Concannon was a stud. One of the most consistent points for Case a year ago, Concannon will have to grapple with playing higher in the lineup this upcoming year. Admittedly, I think that four is still a little low for Concannon. Look for Concannon to have a strong year and maybe move up to 2.

5 Singles: Anthony Kanam (11.69)

Question: How do you replace a Josh Dughi?

Answer: You promote a proven winner: Anthony Kanam (16-5 as a freshman last year) and hope that he starts growing his hair out. Kanam was the lynchpin of three doubles last year and successful on the singles court as well. Kanam will be relied on to help support my claim of Case’s 3-5 being their strength, and I have faith that he will do just that. Steadiness and a willingness to be on court all day typified Dughi’s singles career at Case and I think Kanam is ready to fit the mold, but with an added dash of doubles prowess.

6 Singles: A Revolving Door (Unrated, but Always Turning)

I think that six singles will be a revolving door. That’s essentially the only sure thing about this spot. I do think that Rajupet (11.36) will get the nod early, but look for the Spartan Staff to test each player on their expansive roster at six. 30% chance that we see new transfers: Hade Weerboth or Wodd Todjtkowski get some playing time.

I’d set the Over/Under on players used at Six singles for Case at 7.5 – bet. Any takers?

The Schedule:

http://athletics.case.edu/sports/mten/2017-18/schedule

Assuming a 1-2 finish at Stag-Hen, I believe that Case will finish with five losses heading into UAAs: Cleveland State, U Chicago, Amherst, and then two more at Stag-Hen. This means that they’d finish with wins over: NC Wes, CNU, Trinity, Swarthmore, Kalamazoo, and NYU. Of these projected wins, I think that the trickiest matches will be CNU and Trinity. CNU played CMU incredibly tight this Fall to a 5-4 loss, and I think that match up well with Case. Trinity, despite an abysmal Fall, cannot be overlooked and will also give Case a tight match similar to last year.

Case opens up their season in the cold wintry mornings of February at Oberlin College (2.9.18) and then follow up with U Chicago (2.10.18). This weekend will be important for all three teams because it will give us all a preview at what Chicago is bringing to the table – lineup wise, it will allow us to see how Oberlin will do this year after a close 6-3 loss to Case last year, and will also allow us to see if this new Case team is ready to knock on that NCAA door again.

Case then heads out to Virginia to finish their February and will play NC Wes, Washington, and CNU. Case will be expecting three points out of that trip and I predict that they will get it, though a close one with CNU should be suspected. March is highlighted by Stag-Hen, Trinity, Amherst, and Swarthmore. If Case can get out of March with three wins out of Amherst and Stag-Hen, they will be very happy and spirits will be up heading into the final hunt for Pool C recognition. April comes down to UAAs, and you can bet that Todd will have the Spartans ready to wipe away the taste of their sixth place finish last year.

If only Case knew someone with a Kenyon connection…

One glaring omission from their schedule is the next installment of the Ohio Rivalry…where’s Kenyon?

Yes/No and Short Answer:

Better Conference Finish from last year? Yes

Player to Watch? Sam Concannon

Non-Stater from 2016-2017 to Watch? Is a First Year a cop-out…Matthew Chen

NCAA Individual Qualifier? No

Better finish that CMU? Yes

Will Case Publish the Combine Results? No, but they should.

That’s it for my first season preview, if you have any comments, questions, or ideas comment below or email/tweet me at newd3central@gmail.com / @NewD3Central. Check back all week for more previews, and the ever-important: Top Ten TV shows article.

-NewD3Central

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