UAA Day 1 Rapid Reaction & Day 2 Preview

There was some great play today at the UAA Tournament. Now, it’s time for some great blogging from D3TennisGreek, D3Regional, and yours truly. Here we go. A recap of today and a preview of tomorrow. Live in the moment. Carpe Diem. Go to Jersey Mike’s.

Day 1 Recap:

What a start it was for the UAA, just because we hyped it up so much.  If you aren’t aware of what the results were, you can see below:

Emory def. NYU 8-1

Chicago def. Rochester 9-0

Wash U def. Brandeis 9-0

CMU def. Case Western 6-3

I don’t have links (NVRMD I DO)  for you yet since we are writing this as soon as the matches have finished, but it was actually a rather uneventful day.  However, the big match was the 4-5 Case/CMU match which turned out to be a really surprising result.  I’ll quickly take you through that match and some thoughts because it was certainly a big match in terms of NCAA Tournament stuff, so you deserve it.

To start the match, Case actually took two doubles spots at #1 and #2, which wasn’t really surprising to me considering I thought #2 was a coinflip and #1 has Krim Shady, but after that part I thought CMU’s hopes were really dwindling. CMU also had triple break point at 5-7 in the proset at #2 doubles before losing 5 straight points to clinch it for the Spartans.  If I were there, I’d assume that was a back breaker for CMU and that they would come into singles pretty flat.  However, there was a big rain delay that happened right after the doubles that kept the players off the court for an hour and fifteen minutes.  I told you that rain delays were a thing to watch going in and despite 0% chance of rain, the UAA got dumped on.  CMU really needed this to reset and go into singles like it was a different match.  That is exactly what they did.

If you look at the boxscore, CMU basically handled every single spot pretty routinely.  There were no spots in which I looked and said the match might go either way at this point.  #2-6 singles was a clinic, with only one set lost by the freshman Arora at #5.  He followed that up with a 6-0 third set. I would like to shout-out senior Yuvraj Kumar, who stepped in for an injured Wadwani to take a routine match over Josh Dughi.  It’s that senior power, I must say.

Pool C Update

So, what does this mean for Pool C?  Well, Case is now praying to the tennis gods that Williams loses to a Williams/Amherst/Tufts because that might be the only way to get in.  Their resume is strong with wins over CMU, Chicago, Wash U, which gives them 3 Top 10 wins.  From a resume standpoint, that should be better than Williams.  However, Williams doesn’t have the losses that Case has.  Now that I write this more, it’s very possible that Case gets in over WIlliams at this point. Wow. Basically, Case is hoping that they make it.  They are spectators the rest of the season.

For CMU, they are now playing with a lot of confidence that they can make it.  How they might not make it is this – if Pomona beats CMS in the SCIAC and WIlliams takes out a Bowdoin/Middlebury, then they might get dropped and the Pool C picture looks like this – CMS, Bowdoin/Midd, Chicago, Wash U, and Williams.  That is if CMU finishes 4th.  They have an opportunity to lock their bid by taking 3rd place or better in the UAA Tournament.  Today they had a chance to being out.  Tomorrow they have a chance to lock in.  Crazy.  There’s your Pool C Update.

#1 Emory vs. #5 CMU, 12PM Friday

ASouth: A battle between the only two teams I really care about this year, for the second time this season. Last time this happened was at Indoors when CMU pulled out another big win of 2016. The implications of this match aren’t nearly as high stakes as today’s Case/CMU match or the potential 3rd place match, but this is a match that could very well be really close.  Emory cannot take this one for granted.  I’d like to point out that both teams basically spent the same amount of time on the court today as well due to CMU’s shellacking of Case in the singles portion.  That is a big win for the Tartans.  Big reason why I expect this to be a close one is that CMU should technically come out here with no pressure. We’ll see how that goes for them.  Let’s get down to the match-by-match, why don’t we.

#1 Doubles: Spaulding/Rubinstein (EU) vs. Levine/Arora (CMU) – This is a big match and one that CMU took Indoors back in February.  This should be a different match outdoors but I think the CMU team has the advantage here.  They took a tough loss to a great team today, but the two freshmen are playing well.  This is almost a must-win match for the Tartans and they take it. CMU 8-6

#2 Doubles: Mosetick/Jemison (EU) vs. Zheng/Chen (CMU) – This was the surprise of the match last time out as Chen/Zheng took out the two top dogs from Emory.  While I don’t think that was a fluke, I think doubles is way too variable to continue that result here.  Chen/Zheng need to play lights out at the net to take this one and I was a bit concerned with their clutch play today. Emory 8-4

#3 Doubles: Harrington/Omsky (EU) vs. Alla/Kumar (CMU) – Normally I’d go with the Emory team here as they routinely beat this duo back at Indoors.  But, I also believe in senior play.  Kumar played amazing today and Shek is well, Shek.  Should be an interesting match here that could go either way.  Alla’s serve scares me and that’s what makes me lean Emory.  Emory 9-7

#1 Singles: Mosetick (EU) vs. Alla (CMU) – Alla keeps getting the short end of the stick as he keeps playing seniors who are probably better than him.  If this were another match I’d give him the advantage, but that’s just not going to happen here.  I don’t see Rafe losing in singles the rest of this tournament and tomorrow will be no different.  Alla might wither by the end of the match cosnidering it’s being played at 2PM.  Emory 6-4, 6-2

#2 Singles: Jemison (EU) vs. Levine (CMU) – This was an amazing match at Indoors and I am so sad that I don’t get to watch this (or do I).  Levine went shot for shot with Jemison and it went three into a super breaker.  These are two great freshmen.  Jemison has gotten even better as the year has gone on in my opinion but so has Levine.  I don’t know who to pick! I’m going to go against my gut here and my love for JJ and go with CMU, 7-5, 6-7, 10-5

#3 Singles: Manji (EU) vs. Downing (CMU) – Wow. Downing has been great at #3 singles (he’s the bench #6 on my fantasy team) and he took out Stroup today pretty routinely.  But, he now plays possibly the best #3 in the nation or at least a top 3 one in Manji.  Manji will test him and this will be a bit of a wake up call for the freshman sensation.  Emory 6-3, 7-5

#4 Singles: Bouchet (EU) vs. Zheng (CMU) – CMU has to have this match. Zheng is a consistent point getter but was smoked by Manji last time out.  He gets the weaker Bouchet in this one and that experience could prove useful for him here.  He was impressive today in singles against Stuerke who I thought he would fold against.  For seniority sake, I go with him. CMU 4-6, 6-4 6-2.

#5 Singles: Goodman (EU) vs. Arora (CMU) – Moving down to #5 singles was the best thing that has happened to Arora and that gives him a chance in this match.  Goodman inexplicably lost today to NYU and I don’t know what happened there. That’s not a good sign but I don’t want to forget that Goodman has basically won every other match this year.  Have to go with him.  Emory 6-3, 6-3

#6 Singles: Harrington (EU) vs. Kumar (CMU) – I am assuming Wadwani is out again and this is where it’s going to hurt.  Kumar was able to take it to the backboard that is Josh Dughi, but Harrington will be able to gun with him and it might be too much for his singles game.  Harrington has been way too solid all year for me to go against him, even with the senior magic that Yuvraj is bringing to the table.  Emory 6-1, 7-5.

Add those all up and you get a 6-3 victory for Emory that really ends in a super breaker at #2 singles.  While this is the most likely outcome, I think there are a few swing matches – all the doubles matches are up in the air, and #5 and #6 singles could get hairy for the Eagles.  CMU has an outside shot to win this one and surprise everyone and their mothers. I don’t expect it, but with the performance I saw today anything is possible.

#2 Chicago vs. #3 Wash U, 12PM Friday

D3TennisGreek: Two of the best teams in the central region square off in the UAA semifinal. It doesn’t get much better that! What makes previewing this match so difficult is that the Maroons and Bears faced off just a couple weeks ago, and Chicago bested Wash U 8-1, so it would be easy for me to base my predictions off those results, but I’ll try not to, especially because we all know that Wash U turns it on for UAAs, and their 9-0 victory over Brandeis shows a very solid start to the tournament. I’ll be honest with you. I had the Wash U-Brandeis match on upset alert, so good job proving me wrong Bears! Keep in mind that Chicago just beat Rochester 9-0, all singles matches in straight sets, and Nick Chua didn’t play singles (hopefully, he’s good to go tomorrow)! These two teams seems to be peaking at the right moment. However, I have some words of caution about the Bears. After Wash U defeated Case about two weeks ago, I thought they had turned the corner. However, their 5-4 wins over UW-Whitewater and Coe have me second guessing my earlier excitement. Anyway, that’s all the past, so let’s get to the preview.

For Wash U to pull out a victory, they need, at the very least, a 2-1 lead heading into singles. Chicago appears to have figured out its strongest singles lineup. Keep in mind, however, that the Bears were down to UWW and Coe 2-1 and Chicago 3-0. It’s promising that Bears went up 3-0 on Brandeis, so they need to keep it up. It appears as if Wash U has recently shifted its doubles lineup. The former No. 2 tandem of Konrad Kozlowski and Jason Haugen moved to No. 1, and John Carswell and Josh Cogan shifted to No. 2, while Jeremy Bush and Tyler Kratky remain at No. 3.

Chicago has struggled in doubles as well. However, a good sign for Chicago is that Max Hawkins is back in the lineup, paired with Luke Tsai at No. 3. Last year, these two first team All-UAA honors at No. 2 doubles. They are still getting acclimated, and apparently they were down 5-2 against Rochester today before pulling off the comeback.

Those are the major doubles changes since the last time I wrote about these teams. Singles-wise, I believe I mentioned this, but to recap, Chicago’s lineup is a little different since they lost to Case. I keep saying this after every time Coach Tee changes his lineup, but finally, this statement is true — the Maroons now have their strongest possible singles lineup. Meanwhile, Wash U’s singles lineup remains the same. On to the specific matches.

#1 Doubles: Nick Chua/David Liu (Chicago) vs. Jason Haugen/Konrad Kozlowski (Wash U) – As I just mentioned, Haugen and Kozlowski are quite new to the top doubles spot. At No. 1, the two are 1-1 against D-III teams. When they played No. 2, the combo was virtually unstoppable, with a 7-1 record. Interestingly, their lone loss came to the Maroon pair of Peter Leung and Charlie Pei. On the other side, Chua and Liu have experience. Despite some losses, I’m going to go with the more experienced pair. Plus, Chua/Liu’s losses have been exclusively to probable NCAA qualifying teams. Chicago 8-5.

#2 Doubles: Peter Leung/Charlie Pei (Chicago) vs. John Carswell/Josh Cogan (Wash U) – Despite a 6-4 record at the top spot, Carswell and Cogan are 2-0 at No. 2. They may have been a little outmatched at No. 1 but can compete with anyone due to the shift. Leung and Pei have been the Maroons’ most reliable pair this season, currently riding a four-match winning streak. I can go either way here, but I think the Maroons will continue their hot streak after shutting out the Rochester No. 2 pair. Chicago 9-8 (5).

#3 Doubles: Max Hawkins/Luke Tsai (Chicago) vs. Jeremy Bush/Tyler Kratky (Wash U) – Another tough match to predict. Both teams have had their ups and down. Last time, the Chicago duo, in the return of Max Hawkins to the lineup, bested Bush and Kratky 8-5. The Hawkins/Tsai pair is quiet and subdued while Bush and Kratky are fiery players. I think Wash U takes it this time. Wash U 8-6 .

#1 Singles: Nick Chua (Chicago) vs. John Carswell (Wash U) – Last time, Carswell played a great three-set match against the Chicago lefty, but Chua took the W. Since then, the Bear lost four matches in a row before winning in three-sets today against Brandeis. While I have a slight question mark on Chua, since he didn’t play singles, if he’s healthy, the Chicago No. 1 should win the match. Chicago 6-4, 6-4.

#2 Singles: David Liu (Chicago) vs. Johnny Wu (Wash U) – This is the match to watch and could be a long one. Neither player makes many errors and both have been the most reliable singles players for their respective teams. It’s very, very hard to go against Liu, given that he is undefeated in 2016, but since Wu has played No. 2 for most of the season, I have to give him the advantage. Wash U 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

#3 Singles: Charlie Pei (Chicago) vs. Tyler Kratky (Wash U) – Ah, another very interesting matchup. Pei proved himself at No. 4 and No. 3 before moving to the second most coveted singles spot. However, prior to today, the freshman fell in his final three matches at No. 2. He may have been outmatched, but at 3, he Pei should put up a good fight. Meanwhile, the heart and soul of the Bears lineup has ice water in his veins. Against UWW, he clinched the match in the third set over a very solid Rithwik Raman. Both players are very talented, and I think this one comes down to who is the more composed player. Wash 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

#4 Singles: Sven Kranz (Chicago) vs. Jeremy Bush (Wash U) – If this match occurred one month ago, I would have predicted a straight set victory for Bush. However, Kranz appears to have turned the corner. Since he defeated Bush a couple weeks ago, the Chicago junior hasn’t lost a match. It’s interesting given that Kranz wasn’t overly successful at No. 2 or No. 3. Bush also started the season at a top spot, No. 1. Since his shift to No. 4, the Bear’s only D-III loss has been to Kranz. I think Kranz does it again. Chicago 7-5, 7-5.

#5 Singles: Peter Leung (Chicago) vs. Jason Haugen (Wash U) – Haugen is very highly-touted player by the blog, and we were all excited when he first appeared in the singles lineup. If the Bears play a ranked team, there’s a 50/50 chance Haugen’s match goes three sets. That’s exactly what happened when Wash U faced Chicago last time around, as Leung got the better of Haugen. Since Leung hasn’t lost a match in April, I’m going with the Maroon. Chicago 7-5, 2-6, 6-4.

#6 Singles: Luke Tsai (Chicago) vs. Jake Klein (Wash U) – I am extremely high on Luke Tsai and was upset when he was taken out of the lineup earlier in the season. Since he lost to Nick Fiaschetti, Tsai is 9-0, all wins coming in straight sets. Despite Klein’s success, I’m predicting a Tsai win. 6-2, 6-2 Chicago.

If you do the math, you’ll notice that I have predicted a cautious 6-3 Chicago win with three singles matches going the distance. It’s going to be a fun one!

#6 Brandeis vs. #7 Rochester, 12PM Friday

D3Regional: Well well well, everyone’s favorite part of the UAA tournament, the back draw!  Brandeis and Rochester will be facing off to attempt to avoid the dreaded seventh place match.  Nobody wants to play in that thing.  Rochester has finished eighth at the UAA Championships for the past five years, so the Yellowjackets in particular will be looking to upset the Judges here.  Brandeis looks to clearly be trending downward.  After beating Bates and nearly taking out Tufts, the Judges lost 6-3 to Trinity CT, and just came off a 9-0 loss to Wash U where they only took one set.  They also lost 6-0 in the third in that match (Bunis at #1).  The good news for Brandeis is that they should be much more confident going into tomorrow afternoon’s match, as they beat Rochester 7-2 back in March, winning every singles match.  However, Brandeis lost 2 out of 3 doubles in that one.  They also have lost six straight doubles matches by being swept by both Trin CT and Wash U.  Rochester looked much better in doubles today than Brandeis did, and I’m going with them to take a 2-1 lead after doubles.  I’ll give them #1 and #3 doubles, I think the senior Danny Lubarsky will come to play tomorrow afternoon at #2.

In singles, Brandeis should theoretically have the advantage.  Neither team looked great in their match today, but Brandeis has performed better in singles all season.  I think Brandeis has big advantages at #3 and #4, with Michael Arguello vs. Ian Baranowski and Tyler Ng vs. Sam Leeman.  Danny Lubarsky at #5 also does a nice job at always beating the guys he should beat.  He’s more consistent than Aaron Mevorach and I like him to come through as well.  However, Jackson Kogan at #6 lost 0 and 0 today, and I think Andrew Nunno will be able to grind him down in the heat of the Florida afternoon.  Ryan Bunis and Masaru Fujimaki should be a great match.  Bunis won 1 and 6 back in March, but Fujimaki looked pretty good against David Liu today, and while Bunis won a set against John Carswell, he fell off in the third.  Fujimaki actually got five more games in his match even though he lost in straights.  Despite this, I think Bunis rebounds in another three setter, potentially a super breaker.  If Rochester can sweep doubles, which honestly at this point I think is very possible, they will be in terrific position to pull off the upset.  However, I think the Judges will take this match 6-3, in a match significantly closer than the 7-2 win back in March.

#4 Case vs. #8 NYU, 12PM Friday

ASouth: I don’t expect this one to be much of a match.  NYU challenged Emory today at #1 doubles and #5 singles (where they took a match), but this one should not be close.  Case will come out a bit upset about their performance today and come out hard in doubles.  I expect that to be a sweep.  Once that happens, they can relax and play with house money.  Watch out for the #3 and #5 matches in singles because that is where Case can be had.  Expect Krimbill to go undefeated against NYU (back draw makes it way easier for my prediction to come true) and for the Spartans to come out of this with an 8-1 victory.  7-2 would be a nice win for the Violets and a confidence booster going into the 7th place match.

OKAY! That’s all we’ve got for you from Day 1 of the UAA.  The real meat and potatoes happens tomorrow and we got a nice appetizer today with Case/CMU.  Both matches should be really interesting and they will begin at a scheduled time of 2PM.  I am getting some rumblings out of the UAA that they might move these up to 12 noon due to potential weather issues, but we shall see.  On to the next day of great tennis.  ASouth, OUT.

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