NCAA Quarterfinal Preview: #7 Chicago vs #2 CMS

NCAA Quarterfinal Preview: #7 Chicago vs #2 CMS

D3West: to everyone who is now doubting CMS because they got swept in doubles by Tyler, I’m going to leave this here. People are also talking about Chicago as if they discovered the secret ingredient to Chik-fil-A sauce when they beat GAC 5-2, but they haven’t had a truly convincing team performance since beating Wash U in March. This is undoubtedly a very intriguing quarterfinal match, and by no means will this be a walk in the park for the Stags, but this is a classic case of “The Blog Overreacts.” Bottom line is that CMS hasn’t won fewer than 5 singles matches since April 1st. Even though they got rocked twice this season like they haven’t gotten rocked in the last half century, it’s difficult to deny their singles prowess.

#1 Dubs: Butts/Mork (CMS) vs. Chua/Liu (Chicago)

West: This is a rematch of the regular season meeting, and I think it will go the same way. Though Butts and Mork are prone to stretches of sketchy play, they rarely play two bad matches in a row, and I think they’ll win, especially against an opponent that isn’t going to serve them off the court and neutralize their strong returns. 9-7 CMS

Central: I was pretty surprised to see Butts and Mork fall to Tyler as I am pretty high on their capabilities. Chicago is susceptible to losses at the top spot because they don’t play the typical power doubles game. The do have nasty returns so if they can break CMS a few times, they are capable of pulling out a win. I still like the Stags. 8-5 CMS

#2 Dubs: Seifert/Gordy (CMS) vs. Pei/Leung (Chicago)

West: Probably Chicago’s best doubles position against undoubtedly CMS’ weakest. The Stags are just unabashedly weak at low doubles this year, and if they can steal a match at #2 doubles this weekend, they’ll be in good shape. I don’t think it happens here. Chicago 8-4

Central: I don’t necessarily agree that this is Chicago’s strongest doubles team as none of them really get me excited. However, CMS isn’t quite up to the level of talent that Chicago will throw out there and both Pei and Leung hit big. If they are firing on all cylinders, they should be fine. Chicago 8-6.

#3 Dubs: Hull/Mehall (CMS) vs. Tsai/Hawkins (Chicago)

West: Here’s a swing match, and I think CMS’ championship experience helps out big time. Mehall isn’t experienced in championships perse, but he’s a senior and Hull certainly knows his way around an NCAA championship court. Tsai and Hawkins have both been there before, but they don’t have the experience. Honestly, this one could go either way, but I’ll take CMS 9-8.

Central: This is absolutely the crucial match of the three. At the beginning of the year, I would have taken this Chicago duo against anyone at #3. But Hawkins was out most of the first half of the season, and they haven’t found the same form they had last year together. Hull’s talent is probably enough to take this one. CMS 8-3

#1 Singles: Butts (CMS) vs. Chua (Chicago)

West: Chua hasn’t had nearly the season this year as he did last year. Butts knows how to peak at the end of the season. Butts 6-4, 5-7, 6-2

Central: Butts has had Chua’s number on a few occasions and I don’t see that changing here. I think Butts takes this one pretty easily unless it gets moved indoors. Butts 6-3, 6-2/

#2 Singles: Hull (CMS) vs. Liu (Chicago)

West: Hull has been playing too well lately for me to pick against him, winning the last 8 games against Fagundes in about 15 minutes. Liu has had an incredible season, and he actually beat Mork the last time these two teams played, but he’s taken some losses at #2 singles. I’m gonna go with Hull.  7-6, 7-5.

Central: I really want to see this match because it really is dependent on Hull. He is unbeatable at #2 when he is playing his best. He does happen to go missing every so often as well and if that is the case, Liu is the last guy you would want to play. I think Hull will drop the first set and then find his game to win in 3. Hull 3-6, 6-2, 6-2

#3 Singles: Morkovine (CMS) vs. Kranz (Chicago)

West: This is a match Chicago absolutely has to have if they’re going to win the team match. I know the perception is that Kranz is a little bit of a sacrificial lamb at #3, allowing Chicago to dominate at the bottom of the lineup, but he’s actually had himself a nice season. He went undefeated at UAA’s and won easily against GAC this past weekend. In a match of two crafty ball-strikers, I think they go 3 and end up not finishing. Mork leads 2-6, 7-5, 3-2

Central: Kranz has been the biggest surprise for me this year as I totally expected him to struggle playing high in the lineup. He fell out of the lineup all together early, but when he came back, he got some solid wins. Mork is known for slow starts so I wouldn’t be crazy to predict that happening again. I like Mork winning this in three sets to clinch the match 5-4.

#4 Singles: Macey (CMS) vs. Pei (Chicago)

West: Though Macey fought well in the second set against Tyler, his confidence has to be shaken at least a little bit by the way he lost 8 games in a row. That doesn’t happen to a guy like Macey. Pei started the season strong at the top of the lineup, but really struggled down the stretch, losing to CMS, Case, CMU, and Wash U twice. Now that he’s a little lower in the lineup, I think he wins in two close sets 6-2, 7-5.

Central: At his best, Pei is one of the top players in the nation. At his worst, he can struggle. The good news is that now he is playing all the way down at #4, even struggling he should fair ok. I don’t know much about Macey so I am leaning towards Pei with all that talent. Pei wins 7-5, 6-4

#5 Singles: Wildman (CMS) vs. Tsai (Chicago) –

West: Tsai basically never loses tennis matches (his only DIII loss this season came against a guy no longer playing), and Chicago is obviously really strong at the bottom of the lineup. Wildman is relatively inexperienced, and he hasn’t played in a match of this enormity before. I think Tsai capitalizes on his experience with a tight 7-5, 6-4 win.

Central: Tsai is a stud and finds a way to beat just about everyone. Wildman has talent, but inexperienced in tournament play. Tsai wins 6-3, 6-4.

#6 Singles: Yeh (CMS) vs. Leung (Chicago)

West: I always like a team with a senior at the bottom of the lineup, and I think Lestter is going to get the clinch in this match. Leung was less than convincing this past weekend, while Yeh walked through the park. The dude’s only two DIII losses came in the matches CMS lost. I think that’s pretty telling, and I think he wins here: 7-6, 7-6 to clinch.

Central: These are two guys that I have a hard time predicting how they will play. On one hand, I hear all the time how well Yeh is playing and that makes me want to lean to him winning. And then you have Leung who has regressed a bit this season in my opinion, but has the pedigree to take out some big time players. I think I am leaning towards Leung and his forehand because I want this match to go 5-4 and him winning was the only way I get there! Seems reasonable!

West: CMS 5-3

Central: CMS 5-4

 

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