West: The third place match is always a bid of a crap heap, as both teams are just so deflated from the loss the previous day. Oftentimes, the team that lost in the less heartbreaking fashion will have the advantage the next day, but I don’t think you can say either team is gonna feel like they got hit by a truck less today. Both teams had to empty the tank, so it’s hard to take in the fatigue factor. In the end, I was just so impressed by Midd’s singles performance today that I have to go against my guys. I also think that TU will be more deflated since they were actually leading in their match. Up 3-0 with three first sets, a 5-1 lead in a 4th, and a tiebreaker at a 5th? That hurts a lot. They fought really hard, but in the end, tiebreaker luck regressed to the mean to fuel a furious and impressive Amherst comeback. Still an impressive season for the boys, and I hope they can bring home that third place trophy.
NE: Man was I impressed with Midd’s fire today. I know they always bring it, but their mixture of energy and composure was really fun to watch. I think the Hansen/Midd questions will finally stop being asked, and it will be very interesting to see how the Panthers reload next year with the loss of their top 2 singles players and #1 doubles team. I agree with Kanye in that Trinity will likely be the more deflated of the two teams, and I think Midd will jump on that early. For Trinity to win this match, they’re going to have to win at least 2 out of the 3 doubles matches. Even that might not be enough (too soon?) Regardless of who wins this match, both teams should be very proud of the seasons they’ve had. a 3rd place or 4th place finish is nothing to scoff at, and both programs (after a few days to grieve) will undoubtedly hold their heads high.
#1 doubles: Deuel/Moreno (TU) vs. Johnston/Lebovitz (Midd)
West: If there’s one team that can come back from a disappointing day the day before, it’s Deuel and Moreno. The combination of the Tigers best player and the senior will come away with a win after an impressive performance today.
NE: As I said in my intro, you can throw everything out the window from yesterday. I’m going with the boppers to bounce back and take a much needed win heading into Indivuduals.
West Prediction: TU 9-8 (0)
NE Prediction: Midd 9-7
#2 doubles: Mayer/Haugen (TU) vs. Jones/Campbell (Midd)
West: I’m way too scared of the Middlebury team to pick against them. Maybe Mayer and the senior can work some chemistry magic to get my Tigers over the hump in this match. My gut tells me Middlebury and I’m going to stick with it.
NE: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this team is really good. Their talent was on display again today, as the Panther duo took down the “best #2 team in the country” of Kotrappa/Butts. Maybe today was simply Butts’ off-day, but give credit where credit is due. This is probably the strongest dubs spot for both teams, but I’m stickin winth my boys.
West Prediction: Midd 9-7
NE Prediction: Midd 8-6
#3 doubles: Curtis/Niess (TU) vs. Smolyar/Heidrich (Midd)
West: All I want is to see Neiss’s celebrations when he clinches this match to put TU up by the score of 2-1. The most clutch team on TU right now and they take the tiebreaker. And yes, I just picked two tiebreakers to be 7-0 because I’m the man.
NE: I was proud of SmolyarHeidrich for staying with Marino/Pereverzin throughout today, but their lack of experience finally caught up to both guys (and Ari again in the singles). There is a rumor of a Smolyar injury floating around, so Im not even sure if this will be the team. Whoever fills in for Midd (they have plenty of reasonable candidates) should be able to keep it close.
West Prediction: TU 9-8 (0)
NE Prediction: TU 8-6
#1 singles: Deuel (TU) vs. Johnston (Midd)
West: The Johno train is on point right now and there is no way around it. Deuel was good today, but Johno has just been so good so far. His pretty groundstrokes take out the sophomore in a match that looks closer than it feels.
NE: Damn son, Johno looked good out there today. The weight and the scruff appear to be all gone, and so do opponent’s hopes. Taking down Wood is no easy task, but AJ did it with realtive ease today. If he plays like that through Individuals, look out.
West Prediction: Johnston, 6-3 6-3
NE Prediction: Johnston, 7-6. 6-4
#2 singles: Haugen (TU) vs. Jones (Midd)
West: Come on Greg, go out with a bang! This is a marquee matchup between two veteran guys and one that I’m definitely looking forward to. Who knows, maybe some magic for the boys will get Haugen to come through. Jones’s mental toughness turns out to be too big in this match.
NE: Jonesy Jonesy Jonesy, I still believed you were going to win that match, but that 2nd set was a killer. If either BJ or Smolyar had won their 2nd sets (both were at 4-4) I believe the outcome of the team match would’ve looked very different. As it is, Jones played even with one of the best #2’s in the country and I see no reason why he won’t take down a more frustrated Haugen who blew his chances today.
West Prediction: Jones 6-4, 6-3
NE Prediction: Jones, 7-5, 6-2
#3 singles: Moreno (TU) vs. Campbell (Midd)
West: If Moreno didn’t have the heartbreaker today, I might re-think this one. But losing a 5-4 lead in the third set and essentially losing the clincher for your team in the Final 4 may be too much for the senior. Sad to see a senior go out this way but the fatigue plays a huge factor here.
NE: Campbell impressed me today as well. Honestly, most of the Midd guys did. But that elusive 3rd set proved to be just too heavy a task and Marino ran away with the final set. I think Palmer bounces back, but he’s running into another top-notch opponent in Moreno. This could be a couple of quick sets, but I’d be willing to bet that it goes 3.
West Prediction: Campbell 6-4, 6-4
NE Prediction: DNF (Split sets)
#4 singles: Skinner (TU) vs. Smolyar/Mountfield (Midd)
West: Something’s up with my boy Skinner, and he really needs to redeem himself after today’s tough match. I love the kid and love his game but either of his potential opponents are playing great right now. He might even have a better chance against Smolyar because of the heart-breaker that Smolyar just faced today.
NE: Here’s where thing’s get interesting again. We don’t know what Ari’s role will be tomorrow. Maybe he’s good to go? Maybe he’ll sit after doubles? Maybe he’s totally out? Whatever happens, this match will be a pivotal one for Trinity. I said this yesterday about the Skinner/Zykov match, and Aaron went out a blew a 5-2 1st set lead. Who knows how much/little Skinner will care after that heartbreaker. Whether it’s Mountifield or Smolyar, I think Midd can pounce on the distraction
West Prediction: MIdd, 7-6, 6-4
NE Prediction: Midd, 7-5, 6-3
#5 singles: Mayer (TU) vs. Mountifield/Frons (Midd)
West: If this match finishes, I’m picking Mayer. The dude wins and he wins some more (except for today, meh). Taking Mayer if it finishes, for the boys. 6-4 6-4.
NE: Again, who knows who will be in this spot for the Panthers. If it’s Mountifield, then we’re in for a battle, but if it’s Frons, I think Mayer has to be the favorite. A 3-set loss to Yaraghi, even in that fashion, does not change Mayer’s chances in my eyes. Either way, this match will go for a long time and I don’t see it finishing.
West Prediction: DNF
NE Prediction: DNF (Midd leads)
#6 singles: Curtis (TU) vs. Frons/Lebovitz (Midd)
West: CUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURTIS. That’s all I have to say. Charlie is going to bring the goods and if he finishes, he’ll win too. That’w how much faith I have in this gritty Tigers player.
NE: Whoever plays here will have a tough match as Curtis has been playing great tennis through the tournament. He ran into a very tough senior in Reindel today, but I think he should be even with Frons at the very least (and a favorite over Midd’s #7).
West Prediction: DNF
NE Prediction: DNF (Trin leads)
Overall Team Score
West: Midd 5-2 – sad faces.
NE: Midd 5-2. I picked this score yesterday, and Trinity almost made me look like a total nincompoop. So obviously I’m sticking with it.