Stag-Hen Round 2 Preview: In Brief

The rain delay and my timely getting off of work has allowed me to do a quick preview of Stag-Hen round two. I’m playing tennis myself soon and have to leave in 15 minutes, so let’s see how many words I can fire off. My guess is about 500. I’m hoping they will be getting these matches in today. If not, my predictions will change a little bit tomorrow morning.

Semifinals

#1 CMS vs. #4 Trinity

The Tigers appeared headed to a relatively easy win over Kenyon before things got seriously hairy. You figure a team with a doubles sweep and four first sets is going to win pretty handily, but that’s not what ended up happening. As a consequence, TU had to empty the tank to even make it to the semifinals. Geier showed what can happen to Trinity when they lose one of the top two singles positions, as TU lost 3 and 4 singles yet again. The theory that Trinity has 5 or 6 #5 singles players was further supported in this match, as Tyer bailed his team out with a clutch three-set victory (though Nemo lost). Not much to report from CMS’ match against Tyler. I’m sure the Pats are proud of getting two matches, but CMS won four singles matches within an hour and the match was never really close. I see this match, which could have been a grind if TU came in fresh, going well for the Stags. TU will come out fiery in doubles, winning at #3 and #2. Butts/Mork will continue their incendiary play to give the Stags a point. After that, it will be all CMS. Butts will take out a tired Deuel. Krull will continue to dominate at #2. Mork will show the freshman what a little experience can do for you, and CMS will cruise at 4-6. If Trinity is going to pick up another singles point, it would be at #6 singles where Nemo will be relatively fresh and angry about the previous match. Nevertheless, Yeh is playing really well and I don’t see him losing.

#2 PP vs. #3 Emory

I can’t really say a whole lot about this matchup. I was sitting on pins and needles waiting to find out about the PP result against GAC, figuring the match was probably really close, only to find out that the Hens won 5 of the singles matches relatively quickly (at least quick relative to the marathon that was the Trinity/Kenyon match). Emory, meanwhile continues to show that they are strong pretty much everywhere. If PP has a chance in this one, they absolutely need a doubles lead. Emory has proven themselves susceptible to such things, and I think PP will get two matches at 1 and 3. After that, the Eagles will slowly take over against my scrappy Hens. Rafe will take out a streaky Yaz. Jemison will outlast GMah. Manji will continue his recent tear for a straight sets win over my boy JK. Pomona-Pitzer will definitely compete hard at the lower singles positions, and I think they’ll pick up one victory here, most likely at #5 where Malech is playing lights out. All in all, I think Emory will win #4 in straights and #6 in three for a 6-3 win.

#5 Kenyon vs. #8 UT-Tyler

I kept telling my compatriots not to count out Kenyon, and they did. They’ve always been a team with heart, and they very nearly pulled off perhaps the greatest comeback I’ve seen in my years as a blogger (at least relative to match position), and that’s not an exaggeration. Unfortunately, that might cost them against the Pats if they can’t recover quickly. Again, I see the Pats taking an early lead in this one with wins at #1 and #3 doubles. In singles, Geier will continue his hot streak with a straight sets win over Budd. Fagundes will win the freshman-on-freshman batter at #2. I’ve got Fischer beating a fatigued opponent at #3. Paolucci taking out the freshman Gomez at #4. Kaye cruising by McIntyre, and, in an upset, I think Puckey (or perhaps Frankie Fischer coming off the bench) will give the Pats the upset victory they were hoping for coming into the tournament 5-4.

#6 Case vs. #7 GAC

This one is really more Central’s territory, but I’ll take a shot at it. This match is already underway, and it looks like #2 doubles will decide who gets the doubles lead. Case have already proven themselves on multiple occasions to be a very legitimate top 10 team this year. GAC won just one singles match against Pomona-Pitzer, which does not bode well for them here. If they’re going to win this match, they absolutely need Al Houni to upset Krimbill, but I don’t see it happing. I see Case winning 1 and 2 doubles and then taking 1, 2, 4, and 6 singles for a relatively drama-less 6-3 win.

That makes 800 words and I’m right on time! Sorry for spelling and grammar errors. Looking forward to another great round! Let’s do our best anti-rain dance!