I’m going to start off this micropreview by pointing out that I picked every match correctly the first day:
I picked every match correctly yesterday
Now that that’s over with, we can get to the analysis. I actually had plans last night, so I didn’t really follow the matches very much, but here’s a microrecap
CMS def. Wash U 8-1 – Wow, the Stags beat the everliving out of the Bears, and that’s just incredibly impressive. The doubles was very close the whole way, but the Stags jumped all over the Bears early in singles and never looked back. Also, Bernhardt clearly hasn’t been following DIII tennis. I miss having him around.
Pomona-Pitzer def. Trinity 7-2 – Simply put, Pomona-Pitzer’s doubles is on fire. The nature of doubles makes it really difficult to sweep just one team, and they’ve swept three top calibre teams in a row. Not to take anything away from their win, but Trinity is clearly drained from the trip, and their match with Whitman was about an hour and a half longer than the others. It’s good to see Maassen get on the board with a big win
Wesleyan def. Kenyon 7-2 – The Cards turned things around in a hurry after their abysmal doubles showing against Redlands, and Kenyon is, quite frankly, reeling right now. I’ll be very interested to see how Wesleyan does against Case. They’re getting the Pool C match they wanted
Case def. Whitman 7-2 – I’m going to take a second to scold Whitman. Pre-empting the Whitman apologists: I know it’s tough going from 40 degrees to 90 degrees (and I know none of the other teams who have made the transition started their trips on what was the hottest day of the year by like 15 degrees). I also know that they had some travel troubles, so they didn’t get the day to acclimate that they wanted. Those are things you cannot control, but fitness is one of the few things you have absolute control of in tennis. Do some bikram yoga. Put a bunch of stationary bikes in a small room and spin for an hour. I don’t care. Do whatever you need to do to not have three players come up lame in the third sets of your first match of spring break. That’s embarrassing, and I’m sure Whitman’s two seniors are at least a little bit furious.
That being said, this is a great victory for Case Western. Whitman’s A/B lineup is nothing to scoff at, and the Spartans came away with five straight-set victories, which is very nice. They have a massive match against Wesleyan today that they cannot afford to lose
The Finals
CMS vs. Pomona-Pitzer – the big thing for the Stags this morning has to be stopping the runaway freight train that is Pomona-Pitzer doubles. When P-P decided to put Bello in doubles yesterday, I thought, “why mess with a good thing?” They clearly knew what they were doing. That #3 doubles team for the Hens will not get broken frequently this year. #1 doubles will be absolutely key. Wood and Dorn were less than energetic yesterday, but I’m sure they’ll be eager to avenge their epic ITA finals loss. Both #2 doubles teams are incredibly solid, and it’s hard to go against either of them. I’m guessing all three doubles matches will be very close, but I’m gonna go with Wood/Dorn 9-7 up top, Yasgoor/Kim 9-8 at #2, and Bello/Simonides 9-7 at #3. Obviously, one of those three matches won’t end up being close because that’s how it goes, but it really seems like they’re right with each other.
Honestly, though, I think Pomona-Pitzer needs another sweep if they’re going to beat CMS for the first time in forever because CMS’ singles has been ridiculous this tournament. They’ve lost a total of two sets in the two matches, and Marino and Dorn at #3 and #4 (two NCAA semifinalists) is just going to be difficult to top all year. I don’t know who the Hens will go with at the bottom of the singles lineup, but they’re gonna need good days because it seems like the only spots the Hens can win are #2 singles and maybe #5 and #6 if they can get hot. Ultimately, I think Yasgoor will continue his hot streak with a 3-set win over Butts, but the Stags will win #1, #3, and #4 with relative ease and get two close wins at the bottom of the lineup (Mork always seems to play close matches, doesn’t he?) for a 6-3 victory.
3rd Place Match
Wash U vs. Trinity (TX) – The Tigers are my boys, but man, do they look spent. They had a war with Whitman yesterday morning, and they didn’t do themselves a favor by fighting so hard to get back in the P-P match (not criticizing that, of course). Wash U, meanwhile, has not had to work particularly hard in either of their matches, and I think that will make a difference in this match between two otherwise evenly matched teams. I’ve always like Wash U’s #1 team of Putterman/Bush (apparently they played together in high school), and I think they’ll get an early break and hold on for an 8-6 win. Krull and Niess will keep TU in it with a tough 8-4 win at #2, and #3 will be very close. I’m leaning towards TU to take a 2-1 win.
Krull has played two shorter matches (even though he went three sets with Chuddy), and I think he’ll take down Carswell at #1, but after that, it’s all Wash U. The Arm Sleeve has simply played too much tennis, and Putterman is too good. I think Kratky will take down Mayer in straights. Niess won against P-P yesterday, but I think he’ll drop one in straights this morning. Wash U should win at 6 in straights, as well, and the #5 singles match should be close, but I’m leaning towards Wash U in three there for a 6-3 Bears victory.
5th Place Match
Case Western vs. Wesleyan – This is the most intriguing match of the morning, in my opinion. Outside of the first hour of their Spring Break, Wesleyan has looked very impressive, and their singles depth should be superior to the Spartans’. Two things Spartans have on their side is noise and experience. I don’t know if Wesleyan has ever played against a team like Case, and that could make a huge difference in doubles. I think the Cards may only need one doubles match to win here, and I think they’ll get it at #3, with Case winning with ease at #1 and pulling out a close one at #2.
In singles, I see an edge for Wesleyan at 3-6 and edge Case at 1 and 2. Honestly, I don’t know these Cards very well, but based on what the freshies have done so far at 3-6 singles in their young careers, I think they’re pretty good. The only thing that worries me about this match is whether or not they’ll be intimidated by Case’s physicality. Freshmen typically have a hard time keeping up on the physical side of things, and this will be their fourth match in as many days. Case, on the other hand, is probably the fittest team in the country. If the heat plays a factor again, advantage Case Western. Ultimately, i think fitness makes the difference. Case will win at #1 and #2. Wesleyan will win at #3 and #4, but Case will pull out a 3-setter at #5 to clinch a 5-4 victory Wesleyan wins at 6.
7th Place Match
Kenyon vs. Whitman – These two teams are absolutely reeling. Kenyon has been decimated by injuries, understandably so after 7 matches in a little over a week. Whitman had three players cramp yesterday, less understandably so. Regardless, both teams need this victory pretty badly to salvage some good out of this tournament. Logically, I should go with Whitman, but I’m not picking them again until they prove to me that they’re not soft. Kenyon’s doubles has been up and down, but Whitman’s #3 doubles situation is woeful, and I think the Lords will get a 2-1 lead with wins at #2 and #3.
In singles, I have no idea who will be playing, but I’m going with the Lords. Malesovas probably won’t do well with Heerboth’s unorthodox style. If Grier is in, Hewlin is spent, and won’t be able to hang in. Turlington has been very solid all year, notably winning yesterday, and I think he’ll take out another Whitman freshman at #3 to get the clinch. I’ll take Jivkov at #4 and Rivers at #5 for Whitman, and Thrailkill will win a long one at #6 to make the final score 6-3.
Looking forward to another day of streaming and excellent tweets! That’s all folks!