REGIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: March 31st-April 6th
This week we have one #2, one #3, one #4, and one #5. You go writers. This week we’re also delving further into our writers’ past, looking at their favorite cartoon characters. I believe your favorite cartoon character says a lot about you, so interpret our responses as you will. Also, I’ve been on a Katy Perry kick of late. She’s a Goddess, and Lord help me if any of you disagree.
A-SOUTH
Player: Steven Boslet
Team: Christopher Newport University
Results: Went 4-0 in Singles, 2-2 in doubles in the past week
Recap: Yay Newport! Boslet had a pretty solid week, albeit against weak competition. He was able to capture #2 singles against Mary Washington for their only win against the Eagles over Alex Blahkin. He also won against Salisbury as well. I wanted to give some of the lower teams in the conference a nice shoutout so Boslet is the man here. Good luck finding a picture D3NE.
What’s next: Boslet goes home to watch the NCAA Final in his dorm room.
Honorary Mention: Alex Ruderman (Emory), Ian Wagner (Emory), Kenny Zheng (CMU), Jeremy Novick (Washington)
Favorite cartoon character as a kid: The guy who yells “My Leg” in Spongebob
Favorite cartoon character now: Kanye West
CENTRAL
Player: Motasam Al-Houni
Team: Gustavus Adolphus
Results: 3-1 in singles (#5) and 3-1 in doubles (#1) against all nationally ranked opponents.
Recap: Al-Houni has proven to be one of the best at the bottom of the lineup for Gustavus over the past few weeks and this week on their Spring Break out east showed that. He just recently moved up to the five slot and got wins against MIT, Tufts, and a 3-setter over Smolyer from Middlebury. His only loss was to Yaraghi from Amherst which no one will argue as one he should have won. His only losses other than Amherst this season are to Emory and Carnegie which both went to 3 sets. He has been a rock at the one doubles spot as well winning the same matches with partner Smith-Dennis. The Middlebury win stands out and they have a good chance of qualifying for nationals.
What’s next: Depauw and Kzoo are next weekend and the doubles match-up against Miles/Kopecky (Depauw) will be big.
Honorary Mention: Brad Entwistle (Gustavus)
Favorite cartoon character as a kid: Marvin the Martian, and Space Jam is the best. “Larry isn’t white, Larry is clear.”
Favorite cartoon character now: I am too old for cartoons
NE
Player: Matt DeMichiel
Team: NYU
Results: 3-0 in singles (at #’s 4&5) and 3-0 in doubles (at #’s 2&3)
Recap: Matt put the finishing touches on his perfect week with a 6-0, 6-0 win against Hobart. Earlier in the week, Matty earned two crucial points in the Violet’s 5-4 win over Stevens. Even in his team’s 6-3 loss to conference foe Rochester, DeMichiel still put up two points, winning his singles match in straight sets. In fact, Matthew did not lose a set all week.
What’s next: NYU will take on Baruch, Vassar, and Wilkes in the next week, before ending their season with TCNJ, USCG, and the UAA tournament.
Honorary Mention: Nick Cary (Tufts), Julian Danko (Rochester), Joey Fritz (Amherst), Brian Granoff (Brandeis), Steven Wu (NYU)
Favorite cartoon character as a kid: Bugs Bunny. A barber, a mobster, and a whole baseball team, what’s not to like? Plus, you know, Space Jam…
Favorite cartoon character now: Hey, D3West, wanna know who my favorite cartoon character is? D3West. D3West? D3Westt?? D3WEST? D3WEST?! D3WEST?!?!?!?!?!?!?! DAAAANGEEERRRRRRRR ZOOOOOOOONNNEEEEEEEE!!! Archer.
WEST
Player: Nik Marino
Team: CMS
Results: 4-0 at 3 singles and 3 doubles
Recap: Marino returned to the Stag starting lineup with a vengeance, dropping total of 8 games in the two matches against Cal Lu and Pomona-Pitzer. Let me recap that for you: against two top 20 teams, this dude lost as many games as I lose every time I play a proset of doubles. If I had to describe that in a word, I would say that it’s pretty neat.
What’s next: The Stags have just one more DIII match against Oxy next weekend before the SCIAC tournament, and we’ll see if they will get 5 or 6 quarterfinalists in the Ojai three weeks from now
Honorary Mention: Dancu!? Noooooooooo!!!!!! Not Dancu!!!!!! Take anyone but Dancu!!! Damn you, Justin Thompson from Chapman. Damn you! Also, Moises Cardenas (Cal Lu)
Favorite cartoon character as a kid: Here he comes, here comes Speed Racer! He’s a demon on wheels!
Favorite cartoon character now: Princess Elsa from Frozen if you know what I mean… That just went to a very weird place