This Week In West: Pomona-Pitzer vs. Redlands

Well gang, I picked a really bad month to start stacking up 80-90 hour work weeks, so this is going to be very brief. Last week, CMS turned the city of Ojai into their own personal playground, while the West region’s wayward suns all punched their tickets to the big dance. (Note: the West region historically only places about 6 teams into the tournament. Two of them usually make the Elite Eight. Neat). This week is really all about Redlands vs. Pomona-Pitzer, as the SCIAC is winding down. This match doesn’t carry as much weight as it usually does, especially because they’ll be seeing each other again in a week, but it’s still a rivalry match, and whoever wins this one can say that they finished second in the SCIAC.

Doubles

#1: Maassen/Simonides (P-P) vs. Dulle/Ly (Redlands) – Both of these teams have pretty much punched their ticket to nationals, so it’s really all about the team match. Maassen and Simonides have been tearing it up recently, and came within a few points here and there from winning Ojai. Dulle and Ly took the week off. I think that hurts them here. 8-6 Pomona-Pitzer.

#2: Yasgoor/Kim (P-P) vs. Lipscomb/Wilson (Redlands) – Two of the stronger #2 doubles teams in the country will be going at it here, and believe it or not, Yasgoor and Kim still have an outside shot at a nationals berth. That’s kinda unbelievable to me given how much worse the Hens have been in doubles this year. Redlands isn’t winning the team match without winning this match, so I’ll take them to keep it interesting. 9-8 Redlands.

#3: ???/??? (P-P) vs. Hunt/Lacetera (Redlands) – It’s really hard to know who Bickham is going to throw in there at #3. You figure Chadalavada will be in there. It’s weird not seeing Bello in the doubles lineup. The twins are playing well together. Josh Kim could make an appearance. Whoever it is, I’m going to take Redlands 9-8.

Singles

#1: Maassen vs. Lipscomb – Maassen is playing like smooth jazz right now, and I just don’t think Lipscomb is going to be steady enough to handle it. He’s got some big shots, but Maassen has no problem redirecting pace for winners. 7-6, 6-4 Maassen.

#2 Yasgoor vs. Dulle – Dulle’s season has really taken a turn for the worse. I’m not convinced that he’s totally healthy (though his doubles is just fine). Regardless, Yasgoor doesn’t lose much at #2 singles (despite his lackluster Ojai performance), so I’ll take him in two close sets to cement his singles spot (at least until next week). Yasgoor 7-5, 6-4.

#3 Kim vs. Wilson – This would be a place for Redlands to start picking up singles victories, as they have the depth to compete with anyone, but I’ve gone against JK too many times this season. This one’s going 3 for sure. I’m taking Kim 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

#4 Malech? vs. Ly – Ly has really been hitting the ball well lately and nearly took out a red-hot Macey. I’ll take him in three close sets against the P-P sophomore. (Note: the revolving door has returned, and this could also be Bello or Mandic or someone else). Ly 7-6, 3-6, 6-1.

#5- ???Bello vs. Lacetera and Gearou? vs. Hunt?- I have no idea. Bryant Johnson also played in the Ojai, so this could be the completely wrong lineup for both teams. No point in previewing something that might not happen. In general, I think both teams are deep, but P-P is just a little bit more steady at the bottom. Hunt didn’t turn into the rock solid 6 that I hoped he would be, but he’s been good. I think the two teams split these matches to give Pomona-Pitzer a 5-4 win. That’s kind of what they do.