The Recap
Last week’s 4-match slate ended up being anticlimactic with the exception of the CLU/Cruz match, so I’ll keep these recaps quick.
#20 Redlands def. #22 Whittier 8-1
Whittier just can’t seem to find its mojo right now, and I have to see that I think their team chemistry is a little messed up. Something about the way they play makes me think that all the players aren’t exactly on the same page. It’s always tough for a coach to come into a new situation, and we’ll see how Belletto changes the culture over the next couple years. Individually, Redlands’ #1/#2 doubles team of Lipscomb/Leahy beat Konstantinov/Schommer, which is actually a really bad loss for Whittier’s nationals chances. As always, the SCIAC teams + Cruz are beating up on each other, and they’ll have to settle this thing at Ojai. In singles, Konstantinov put a straight-sets beating on Lipscomb. Both of those guys are already locked into the tournament, but it was DK’s first big win in a while, so that’s good for him.
#5 Trinity (TX) def. #18 UT-Tyler 9-0
The Tigers really put a whooping on the Pats this time around. The closest match was a 9-7 decision at #3 doubles. As I mentioned in the preview, there was never really any doubt as to who would win the match, but you have to be impressed by how comprehensive Trinity’s victory was, especially considering how well Tyler has performed deep in the singles lineup. The easy loss to Deuel effectively puts the kibosh on any hopes Martinez had of making the tournament.
#12 Pomona-Pitzer def. #17 Cal Lutheran 7-2
For anyone doubting P-P’s standing as a very legitimate second tier team, this match served as a resounding *thhhhbbbbttttttt*. I believe the Sagehen #1 doubles team came back from a double break to win the match at #1 doubles, and the #2 doubles match was very close, but the second P-P won that second doubles match, the team match was effectively over. Easy wins from the J. Kim’s demonstrated once again P-P’s considerable depth, though Weichert continues to be the weak link in that singles lineup. With a pair of losses this weekend, Treacy/Nichols will have to do some work at Ojai and in the SICAC tournament to make the doubles tournament. Cardenas, on the other hand, is an absolute lock to make the singles tournament and has looked better and better as the year progressed.
#17 Cal Lutheran def. #22 UC Santa Cruz 5-4
This was a fantastic match. All the doubles matches and four of the singles matches were very tightly contested, and I really think that Cal Lu won this one at #3 doubles. Since going 0-3 over SBWW, Cruz’ #1 team of Scandalis/Goetz has been playing fantastically, and have perhaps played their way into the nationals conversation. If everything else had gone according to form, the #1 team getting the upset could have lifted the Slugs over the top, but Slater/Knight came up huge against Cruz’ mixed up doubles teams (RIP TEAM OF DESTINY). In singles, Littlejohn and Richter continued to be bright spots for the Slugs with Richter winning easily and Littlejohn picking up a huge straight sets victory over Nichols. In the end, Treacy finished a great singles weekend with a clinching 3-set win over Deguchi after Goetz toughed out a 3rd-set breaker to push the match to the limit. All in all, great match. Cal Lu continues to get stronger as the season progresses, and if they can get a little luckier in doubles in the SCIAC semis, they’ve got an outside shot at upsetting P-P. I’ll say they have about a 15% chance.
The Preview
#12 P-P vs. #22 Whittier
Team-wise, this shouldn’t be much of a match. Individually, there are some very interesting story-lines. After last week’s doubles loss to Redlands, Whittier needs a big win to solidify their doubles standing, while P-P’s win over Cal Lu pushed them into prime position. Whoever wins this match will be sitting pretty heading into the Ojai. The other will need a big win there or in the SCIAC tournament to play their way in the tournament. At #1 singles, Wiechert is still looking for a signature win. Konstantinov already has a spot in the singles tournament, but a win for Wiechert would lock him in as well. A loss to DK would leave him vulnerable to an upset at the Ojai because Butts is nipping at his heels in the #9 spot. Ultimately, P-P should win pretty easily at #3 doubles and 3, 4, 5, 6 singles at the very least. I would say P-P is favored at 1 and 2 doubles as well as 2 singles, with DK being the favorite at #1. 8-1 Sagehens.
Josh Dancu Watch
Well, Dancu’s chances of dancing officially ended this weekend with straight-set losses to Wood and Yasgood, but that doesn’t mean the West region singles race is any less interesting. When last week’s singles rankings came out, Marino officially moved to the #8 spot with Butts just behind him at #9, giving CMS the unique opportunity to potentially get four players into the tournament. It certainly would be an unprecedented accomplishment for the Stags, and how can you argue against it? Their #4 singles player finished #2 in the country in the Fall, after all. Unfortunately for the Stags, some of the pieces will have to fall into place in order for that to happen because Lipscomb, Cardenas, Konstantinov, and Deuel have already locked down spots in the tournament for themselves. The only player in the top 8 who could still stumble is Weichert.
Weichert’s only big regional singles wins are Scandalis, Malesovas, and Thompson, and it’s not like he hasn’t had a lot of chances. On the other side, Butts is undefeated in the region with wins over Dorn and Konstantinov. Who’s resume is better? I think I made it pretty obvious where I stand on that, but I’m not sure how I feel about letting a guy who’s been playing #4 singles players all year into nationals. Assuming Whitman doesn’t attend the Ojai, the only other player with any chance of making nationals is Jake Yasgoor. Yasgoor, you say!? Yes, Yasgoor. The dude has regional losses to La Cava, Dorn, and Haugen, but he also has big regional wins against Cummins, Dancu, and… Wood. If the freshman can make a run at the Ojai, he could find himself in better singles position than his own team’s #1 singles player, at which point, the Hens might consider making the shift in the SCIAC tournament to give him a shot.
What’s the common theme of this section? THE OJAI. This unique tournament is the only time in the Spring season where lower lineup players from top schools get to play the top players from others, and it’s a lot of fun. Like I hinted at before, we’ll have some unique coverage for you that weekend, but you’ll just have to wait to find out…