Running Weekly Review: March 5th-11th

Monday

#19 Mary Washington beat #20 Cal Lutheran today. I’m a little surprised by the result, but I’m absolutely stunned by the way it happened. I thought Mary Washington would struggle at least a little bit in doubles in their first match on the West coast, and that wasn’t the case at all. They dominated all three doubles matches, including a comprehensive 8-2 victory at #1 where Ballou/Worley had to be the clear favorites. I also thought that Mary Washington was definitely the deeper of the two teams, and that wasn’t the case. The Kingsmen got a couple close victories at 4 and 5, and had the first set at 6.

Overall, I would say that Cal Lu did a great job coming back from a formidable deficit, but hardly any team can come back from a doubles sweep. Coming out flat is completely inexcusable for them. Cal Lu plays Kenyon tomorrow, and I promise you they need at least two doubles matches to win that one. On a more positive note, I am extremely impressed by Mary Washington. Not only did they respond to a tough loss, but they did it on the road, 3 time zones and about 30 degrees away from home. Next up for the Eagles is Pomona-Pitzer, and I might have to revise my prediction for that one…

0-1 on predictions this week…

Tuesday

Let’s just be real. I have no idea what the hell is going on.

Whittier beat Swarthmore 5-4 today, proving that they will be contending for a top 30 spot this year. We we learn more about them in the coming weeks as they play Tyler, Vassar, Whitman, and Zoo. They’ve looked good so far this year. Swarthmore will probably find itself on the outside of the rankings looking in again this year. A win against Whittier, combined with the win against Oxy, might have been enough to get them in the rankings, but their next couple matches are unwinnable.

Oxy beat Vassar 6-3. It looks like Vassar just doesn’t have any depth this year. I wonder how much of this result can be attributed to trouble acclimating, but I think this definitely shows that Oxy is tougher than anyone thought this year.

Kenyon beat Christopher Newport in a match that pretty much went exactly as anyone would’ve expected. CNU competed well at the top of the lineup, but didn’t have enough depth to ever put the match in doubt. I thought this match indicated that Kenyon had figured out its doubles, but, as we found out later, they still haven’t found the right winning combos.

Cal Lu beat Kenyon, 5-4, in the match of the day. The Kingsmen can probably beat anyone at #1 and 3, but Wilson is off to a rough start this year. It might be time to move Worley back up. Millet and Treacy have shown that they are very capable at the #4 and 5 positions (though Treacy got blown off the court today). Incidentally, Ballou has looked really strong since his loss to Brandeis, and Kenyon’s freshmen, Razumovsky and Heerboth, continue to impress.

I guess I just don’t really know what to say about all this. CLU beats P-P, then loses to Mary Washington, then beats Kenyon. Kenyon beat P-P and Wash U, then loses to CLU. I know that everyone has been saying this, but I guess outside the top 3 or 4, any team from 5-25 could beat any other team on any given day. There should be a lot of good tennis in the next couple of weeks. To quote something D3 said to me in an e-mail, “Sit back and enjoy.”

2-3 on predictions this week…

Wednesday

There was another nutty result today, as Cal Lu beat Christopher Newport 5-4. It looks like Cal Lu is probably going to be the team that drives the rankings committee crazy this week, but they did rest Wilson, so the score was probably closer than it would have been without him. Plus, CNU picked up their last point in a 10-pointer, so I’m guessing the result of this one was never really in question. This is still a strong showing for CNU, and I still think they will beat Oxy tomorrow unless they’re too tired from this one. No rest for the weary, as Cal Lu hits the court again tomorrow to play Trinity (TX). I know the Kingsmen always seem to play better against better teams, but I don’t envy their chances. They have to be exhausted.

Redlands beat Swarthmore 6-3 in the other big match of the day. Someone commented that Swarthmore can beat anyone in singles, but I would completely disagree with that analysis. They managed to win one 3-setter and one 10-pointer after the match had already been decided, and this match was closer to being 8-1 than 5-4. I do take a couple things away from this match, however: Redlands didn’t play like a top 10 team for the first time this season; Swarthmore is dangerous to any team outside the top 20; and Whittier is probably pretty good.

I’m really looking forward to seeing Redlands in a significant match in a couple days, but there are a couple big matches tomorrow to look forward to aswell–namely, Mary Washington vs. Pomona-Pitzer and Trinity (TX) vs. Cal Lu.

4-3 on predictions this week…

Thursday

I’m still waiting on the result from the CMS/Swarthmore match, but I have time to write now, so this is when I’m going to have to write.

CMS predictable romped Vassar 8-1. The box score doesn’t appear to be out yet, so I’m not sure who won for Vassar, but my money is on the Guzick/Guzick doubles team.

The two big matches of the day went to the West coast teams. Pomona-Pitzer recovered from a tough loss to Cal Lu and a doubles deficit to knock off Mary Washington 6-3. The singles matches didn’t really look all that competitive, but I’m still impressed by the way Mary Washington has been playing doubles so far. The big thing to take away from this match, however, is that the Hens saved their season. I never would have thought they would be in such dire straights so early in the season, but they really needed this one, and they responded in impressive fashion. They still have to be behind Cal Lu in the battle for a Pool C spot, but this win really helps their case. Now, they need to back it up with a win over Trinity.

Cal Lu beat Trinity (TX) 5-4 today. These 5-4 matches have to be wearing on Coach Gennette, but they’ve won most of them and put themselves in good position for a Pool C bid. There’s still a lot of tennis to be played, but here is D3tennis’ reasoning for having Cal Lu ahead of Pomona-Pitzer. They have the head-to-head win and two indirect wins via Kenyon and Trinity. All P-P has on Cal Lu is the indirect win via Mary Washington. Pretty airtight logic. Anyways, Cal Lu turned into the favorite for this match when they took two out of three doubles. I was surprised to see that Cal Lu’s two wins in doubles were fairly comfortable. It’s pretty rare to see the Tigers go down that easy. All of the singles matches were decided in two sets, so it seems that there wasn’t really that much drama in this one. I have no idea how the rankings committee will sort through 5-20, but it will probably only get murkier in the next couple days. Next up for Trinity is Redlands, while the Kingsmen finally have a couple days off. Speaking of which, kudos to Cal Lu for coming out strong after four consecutive days of tough matches. It will be interesting to see if they can keep it up for the rest of their brutal schedule.

6-4 on predictions this week…

Friday

There were several big matches today, with the P-P/Swarthmore match gaining extra significance after the events of yesterday. The Hens quickly put to rest any thought of another upset with a doubles sweep and a strong singles performance. Swat had to be exhausted, but this 7-2 victory could actually end up helping come selection Sunday. Swarthmore’s trip is over, and we’ll see what happens for them when they head back East. Again, if they can figure out their doubles lineup, they will be exceptionally dangerous. Pomona-Pitzer can’t rest on their laurels just yet, as they have a huge match against Trinity (TX) tomorrow.

Speaking of Trinity, they bounced back in a big way today by handing Redlands their first D3 loss of the season. They also did it without their #2 singles player, Strauss. This match will help Trinity’s national ranking, but it is way more significant for Redlands, who just slipped behind Cal Lu in Pool C. Haugen clinched it for the Tigers in a third set, and it must have been one hell of a match to watch. Commentary is welcome…

Speaking of bouncing back, Kenyon recovered from their loss to Cal Lu by beating Santa Cruz 5-4. The big surprise from this match was that the Lords took 2 out of 3 doubles matches. Cruz looked great at Indoors, and Kenyon looked awful. Their performance against Cal Lu didn’t really help the perception that Kenyon was weak in doubles, but they must have played well today. After that, Kenyon showed that the heart of their lineup is as strong as anyone’s. Cruz can’t dwell on this one too long because they’ve got CMS tomorrow. Kenyon has a couple days off before playing Bowdoin on Tuesday.

Occidental beat CNU. I didn’t believe the Tigers were for real at all before this week, but they’ve played a lot of good teams very tough, and I think it’s safe to say they are one of the 35 best teams in the country. I just don’t know if they’re in the top 30. CNU, meanwhile, is definitely not in the top 30. They’re leaving California without a win.

8-7 on predictions this week…

*CORRECTION* Apparently, not only am I barely more accurate than a quarter in picking the result of a tennis match, but I also can’t read. CNU beat Oxy, 6-3. This result makes a lot more sense to me. Occidental is alright, but CNU has a couple very good tennis players on their team, and they played Cal Lu very tough. At this point, however, I wouldn’t be surprised at anythying. Oxy will probably drop out of the rankings next week. This win won’t be enough for CNU to get into the rankings, but now they have hope. We’ll see what happens for them the rest of the season

9-6 on predictions this week.

26 thoughts on “Running Weekly Review: March 5th-11th

  1. Anonymous

    The redlands/Trinity match was pretty heated. Doubles went Trinity’s way for the most part but singles was where a lot of the drama was. It seemed as though Redlands was going to run away with the singles taking a 6-0 set at 1, a 6-1 set at 2 (so where is Strauss??), up two breaks at 4 and up a break at 5. Trinity fought hard back. Lost at 1 but won at 6 and then 4 and took a second set at 2 but gave up the second at 3 and the first set at 5. DelaFuente, even though he lost, came up big with a momentum dampener by winning that second st and staying in the match as long as he did when he was clearly playing well below the levelI’ve seen him play at. Then Haugen clinched at 3 to give Trinity a 5-2 win.

    The drama was with the Redlands guys questioning every call, even very clear ones, and making a scene every time. It seemed as though the line judge was favoring the Redlands players as I never saw him agree with a Trinity guy once. Anyway, good win for the Tigers pulling it out in a very “away” match.

  2. Anonymous

    Cnu beat occidental 6-3. Wins at 1 and 2 dubs and 1 2 3 and 6 singles

  3. David

    Oxy’s website shows a 6-3 LOSS to Newport. That could be wrong but that’s the only result I see.

  4. Joe

    Lords up 5-3 on Cruz

  5. Anonymous

    THAT JUST HAPPENED! What a bizarre season this has been!

    1. Anonymous

      CMS still played a near full lineup and won those second sets handily in those 3 setters, what happened?

  6. Anonymous

    UNBELIEVABLE obviously CMS is still CMS and although they did sit a couple guys the loss will impact them in rankings for the short term but WOW. Get ready for a Whitman hosted West coast regional

    1. d3tennisguy

      No way on Whitman. 500 mile rule. How about Cruz-CMS Saturday for the right to host?

  7. Anonymous

    Trinity was without their #2 singles and #3 doubles guy Straus. Anyone know why?

    1. Anonymous

      Don’t know where Straus was, but you’d have to believe that the results of this match (especially in singles) would have been completely different. I think Trinity wins 6-3 with him in the lineup.

      1. Anonymous

        People could say the same thing with Pomona and Singh for the Cal Lu match but it doesn’t matter. Wins a win for Cal Lu.

        1. Anonymous

          Disagree. Singh plays 4 while Straus plays 2. Trinity definitely takes Cal Lu with him in no doubt

          1. Anonymous

            I think the argument here is a lineup player is a lineup player regardless of where they play unless its six just the presence would push people down and make them stronger. Regardless though its all pure speculation and who is to say Cal Lu wouldn’t have still found a way in both? They’ve certainly done it enough times this year. Singh and Straus are both great players for their teams but I guarantee you neither coach is blaming that loss on them not playing. Both still had plenty of opportunities and Cal Lu just beat them

  8. Anonymous

    swarthmore swarthmore swarthmore

  9. Anonymous

    Totally agree on CLU ahead of Pomona in the rankings its really not even a discussion. Pomona would have to beat both Trinity and Kenyon in their rematches which is doubtful to even be mentioned there or Cal Lu would have to blow one they shouldn’t like Mary Wash again. Now if Redlands beats Trinity and Mary Wash who the hell knows where they go.

  10. Anonymous

    SWARTHMORE JUST BEAT CLAREMONT 5-4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  11. Anonymous

    Big win for CLU over Trin Tx as they continue to prove doubters wrong although their results are impossible to predict. Mary Wash put questions about their doubles to rest getting the lead on Pomona but then Pomona absolutely trounced all over them in singles. Those results weren’t even close.

  12. Anonymous

    What are everyone’s predictions for the afternoon matches? I’m going 6-3 Pomona and 5-4 Trinity. That last one becomes 5-4 Cal Lu if they manage a doubles point

    1. Andy

      5-4 Mary Washington. Going with the upset.

  13. anonymous

    Depending on how Mary Wash finishes the week this could be a very odd rankings cluster. Right now I would say Kenyon stays ahead of Cal Lu despite the loss because of Cal Lu’s Mary Wash loss because I think Mary Wash will end up falling to both Pomona and Redlands. If that doesn’t happen however things get very very murky.

  14. Anonymous

    redlands beat swarthmore 6-3 after sweeping doubles and a three setter at 5. swarthmore is as good as anybody in singles.

  15. Riley

    Cal Lutheran dropped CNU 5-4 today. Look for the CNU vs. Occidental match up tomorrow. I’m betting on 6-3 win for Christopher Newport to break their losing streak.

  16. David

    Cal Lu beats Christopher Newport 5-4. No box yet but CNU had to have taken 2 of 3 doubles and then 1 and 2 singles.

  17. Anonymous

    What an anomaly that of Kenyon’s one doubles team, neither player starts in the singles lineup.

  18. anonymous

    CLU beats Kenyon 5-3 with one still going in a 3rd set super-t. Things keep getting nuttier.

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