Fall 2016 Women’s West Regional Preview

2016 – 2017 Season Opener!!

 

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Hello again kiddos!! I am your ever-intuitive D3 West Women’s back for another year of exciting NCAA Division 3 action.  Things have changed dramatically since we last saw one another, players have graduated, titles have been won and lost, teams have been either cut from their school sports program or been nearly cut, all in just 3 months!! Talk about no rest for the wicked…..

 

Alrighty, so this year I am making a promise to myself that I will write more articles or contribute more to this blog. First, because I feel like everyone knows the Men’s blog and the Ladies often get left out (not cool brah) but also, because I feel like there are some great storylines that come from the West region that I have neglected over the last year or so and I feel that it is my duty to write more and not re-tweet ALL THE TIME (but hey, I am consistent somewhere). While NEW is one of the nicest people you will ever meet, I have to say that I want to step up my game close to her level this season.

 

Now then, let’s get crackin’ shall we?

La Verne and Whittier

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These two stories are nearly front page news from the West region right now as both squads are in serious hot water with their institutions.  Whittier shut down their program mid-season last year due to player issues (quitting, injuries, academics, etc. ) and that was a sad thing to see. I am not sure what the new coach (when hired??) will be doing to revamp the team, or even if the Poets will have a team. As of August 2nd, they did not have a coach hired.  Time will tell. I have had the pleasure of competing at the facility at Whittier and it’s a great one, it will be a shame to see it go to waste.  It goes to show that Division 3 is a complete revolving door after the Top 15 squads or so, Whittier had Brandeis on the ropes a few years ago (I was present for that one) and then knocked on the door of the Top 40..now that can barely keep the lights on….

 

Another SCIAC squad that we now must say goodbye to (according to their website) is the La Verne Leopards, where the team was cut from the University Athletic Department for budgeting reasons?? Not sure on this one but the Leos were a former Top 15/20 squad with big names as Alumni, this was shocking to read I must say.  The La Verne supporters did a tremendous job in getting support for their cause and received hundreds of signature to their position. It is my hope that we will see the Leos fight on again in the future. While I am biased in my position as an advocate for tennis, seeing a top regional team cut from their University is truly disheartening and a shame. I know that La Verne brought many things to D3 and their coach Yolanda Duron was one of the best in the nation. The West region will no longer be the same.

 

To both squads, I wish you the best of luck!!

 

Player Farewells….

 

I want to be the thousandth person to say Congratulations to the following seniors who graduated in May, as they move on in their lives, may they always remember their teammates, coaches and memories. D3 tennis is unlike anything else, and that is why it’s such a unique experience in college.

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Caroline Ward (CMS): CMS has had some pretty solid competitors over the years, not many who can match up to Caroline Ward.  A 4-time NCAA Doubles Finalist, ITA Doubles Champion and Super Bowl Finalist, multiple SCIAC team champ, NCAA team Finalist…ok ok now I am just getting jealous…Caroline, ya done good….

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Sofia ‘La Reina’ Vega (Texas Lutheran): Ok, so I can now admit that ‘La Reina’ is one of my favorite players in all of D3, I love her fight and grit on the court. Sofia is the most decorated TLU tennis player, ITA Champ, 4-time NCAA participant in Singles, Top 10 ranked player in the Nation (peaking at #9 I believe) and one of the most-humble people I have seen in interviews. #hitliftrunrepeat

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Natalie Etchegaray (Redlands): First, let’s talk about a Triple Threat…three sisters, all playing in the same conference and having to play one another quite a few times…(I could not be a parent on those days).

 

Natalie concludes her career with a stellar resume of wins and NCAA appearances including two-time All-American status. Teaming with Lauren Villaneuva in her final season, Etchegaray had singles wins over CMS, Amherst, Brandeis, Whitman and Pomona. Doubles wins over L&C, Trinity and Amherst. Qualified for the NCAA Championships in both disciplines but fell in the First Round.

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Lauren Villaneuva (Redlands): Villaneuva graduates from Redlands with a strong career primarily in the lower half of the singles lineup and top of the doubles. Her best results came in her senior year for doubles as aforementioned, but she also was a rock in the 5 spot for most of her career, much needed depth for a team that needs it!

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Jenna Dobrin (Whitman): A quiet ending for one of Whitman’s big name as Dobrin graduates. I feel that Dobrin’s graduation will mean two things for the Walla Walla squad, someone steps up or no one steps up…Dobrin did her best to fill the shoes of Courtney Lawless and to a respectable point she did. Whitman really struggled in those top spots this year against the ranked teams like Lewis & Clark, Redlands, Trinity and Pomona.

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Lea Lynn Yen (Pomona): A constant force on the Sagehens squad and a genuine person..Lea Lynn concludes her stellar career with two All-American honors and a National Championship from Indoors.

 

 

 

 Low Key Predictions for the Fall

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So I am known for going out on a limb here and there, so I decided to stay true to my mantra and shoot out some predictions for the Fall season (by region).

 

Northwest

 

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#rollPIOs

 

Everyone and their mother’s best friend’s dog knows that I have a soft spot for the Pios. I think that if I could do a second undergrad, this school would be on my list (still have years of eligibility left, #studyabroadperks), I love the atmosphere they bring to each match. I also can see how the coaching staff really tries to pump up their players and program, it is great to see a good crop of recruits each year.

Ella Riddle

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Talk about under the radar, nearly won ITAs twice, alternate for NCAAs in BOTH disciplines last year…can we get a Brit a break?? (hehe see what I did there, Brit..a..Break……yeah I am losing it, officially) Anywho, I think Ella Enchanted has a good run in her this year, maybe a big upset of Summertime Garrison is in the cards…

 

Whitman’s Fall

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Not fall down the rankings, but the Fall season…as this will set the tone for where Whitman can really figure themselves out on the individual side of things. While the PNW ITA regional never says too much about the Spring, this is where we can see some of the discipline that the Missionaries lacked in the past Spring, show up in the Fall and trickle into Spring’17.

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Pomona’s Youth 

                              

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The Sagehens were a huge story of the early Spring and I think Caroline Casper can be a great talent for another deep NCAA berth, should she be able to put it all together…but I think what we will see this Fall is the return of a dominant Pomona doubles and the youngin’s take over the ITA regional event, Pomona has the players (I mean sitting Grace Hruska for most of last year? Lawl)

 

The Redlands Debate

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The Lady Bulldogs graduate their top players this year and the bottom has not shown consistency as in prior years.  We never see much of Redlands in the Fall, maybe players are abroad/not as motivated, but I think that this year will take a lot more to keep their ranking where it is. I do expect a decent slip if they don’t bring in a new #1.

 

Where is CMS?

 

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Now that Caroline Ward has graduated, the #1 position that she locked down for a few seasons is wide open in both disciplines.  Katie Kuosman may take over #1, but that is a huge step up.  I know we have seen her with other partners for Doubles in the past, but no player has really got the doubles prowess to be at #1 with her. This is going to be a tournament-time decision, but I think CMS is at its weakest right now.

 

Caltech Rising

 

The #40 Cal Tech Beavers!

NEW and I were talking about Caltech and their rise a few months ago and I was seeing some good things over there on the Men’s side. I think the Ladies still have a little more to go but are definitely at a great point in their program to get some solid talent and results. We are not talking a major push in the SCIAC, but definitely some solid individual contenders for the season to come!!

 

Southwest (Texas)

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The Southwest is a region that often is forgotten about. Granted, not sure why we call it the Southwest as ALL of the teams (I see you Colorado College, don’t worry) are pretty much from Texas.  Now, I know a few small ones that I may be forgetting (lo siento mis amigos) but Texas rules this sub-region, so I am going to call it Texas from now unless I get a lot of kickback on it.

 

Trinity’s Dominance?

 

The Winner: Trinity

The Tigers have laid claim to Texas for the past few seasons, claiming many SCAC titles and defeating any Texan team that comes up.  While they had a wacky lineup in the Spring, I think the Fall will see things return to normal as Trinity nearly botched their road to NCAAs in May. They only graduate one starter so I think this year will remain the same in results for the Tigers.

 

 Tyler, Tyler, Tyler

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This is definitely a squad that does not get noticed, simply because they always do the predictable..win their conference and then make NCAAs and fall to Pomona, CMS, Trinity or really any team who qualifies and is ranked above them. I think Tyler has the spunk and confidence to do well, they just need the results.

 

What’s NEXT?!

 

Per usual, the Fall is quite boring in the West, the lone event for almost every team is ITAs in September (later this year too) unless schedules come out and surprise us. The big thing to look for is surprise freshman (remember Caroline Casper?) and those Fall season lulls from big names…

 

Ok boys and girls, that is all I have for this article, please continue to read the blog and support D3 tennis in all of its endeavors!

 

D3WW Out (with a racket drop)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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