Williams completed their California sweep today with a 5-4 win over Cal Lu. The box score makes it look like the least dramatic 2-4 comeback of all time, as they won their four singles matches without dropping more than 4 games in a set. Though they entered the trip with the #3 national ranking, not much was known about exactly how good they would be this year, and I think these wins prove that they are definitely in the D3 elite. Their box scores against CMS and Cal Lu are pretty comparable to Amherst, and you could say that their win over Cal Lu was more comfortable than Amherst’s, even though they were down 2-4. This is all speculation until their April 22nd date with the Jeffs, but I don’t think Amherst is nearly as unbeatable as they seemed after they killed Emory in the national championship match last year.
The Kingsmen just played their 7th 5-4 match of the season, and it’s a small wonder that Coach Gennette hasn’t had a heart attack. Unfortunately for them, they’ve come out on the wrong end of three of them. The Mary Washington match was an anomaly, but it looks like they are basically one match away from being a top 5 team (but also one match away from being outside the top 15). At least for the last couple weeks, part of the reason they play so many 5-4 matches is because they are so strong at 1 doubles, 1 and 3 singles. They can win those matches against anyone, but the rest of their lineup is relatively weak (key word, relatively), so they usually end up winning 1 or 2 of the remaining 6 matches for a 5-4 result. Anyways, they play CMS on the 20th of April, and I’m wondering how they will respond to playing a significant match away from their home courts. For the moment, they look like the best team in California.
Cruz had an ambiguous couple of days. They have to be disappointed in their match against Williams. Most teams are going to have a hard time recovering from a doubles sweep, but that’s especially true for Cruz because a) doubles is their strength, and b) energy is such a huge part of their success. They played Williams tough in singles, but they never really had a chance to win, and the match was just as close to being 9-0 as it was to being 5-4. Fortunately for them, they rebounded against Redlands. After taking 2 of 3 doubles, they took 3 singles matches pretty comfortably for the win. The rest of the singles matches were absolute battles, and kudos to the Bulldogs for competing hard after the match was decided and winning two of them, but the big story is the win for Cruz. Also, Larsen is back in the lineup, and, given the timing of his arrival, I can only assume he was academically ineligible for the winter quarter. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions, because it could have been anything, but that’s my guess. Regardless, he makes the Slugs a much more dangerous team by solidifying their doubles lineup and moving their grinders lower in the singles lineup.
Another close but, ultimately, disappointing loss for the Bulldogs. Though they have put together a solid season, they need to pick up a signature win because most of their Pool C competitors have one already. Personally, I believe the winner of the Redlands/Pomona match should be in the tournament, but that might not be the way it works out. The only way they can guarantee a Pool C spot for themselves is by beating both P-P and CMS, which is a pretty tall task.
In other news, NCW beat Christopher Newport 6-3 on Tuesday. I hate to toot my own horn (except not, because I’m so rarely right on predictions), but this match went down pretty much exactly as I thought it would. The Bishops were untouchable from 3-6 singles, and their single doubles win was all they needed to win the match. CNU just doesn’t have enough good players to win against the top teams. More importantly, NCW needs to fix their doubles before nationals. Where’s the team that took 2 of 3 from Kenyon and swept Hopkins?
does anybody know if emory number 3 and 4 singles are good? been losing a good amount…but the 5and 6 singles guys look rock solid.
they are very good. Emory is deep and talented in doubles and singles play.
Lets not forget that Emory swept Cal lu in dubs 8-2,8-1,8-1. Hard to say Ballou and Worley as best dubs team in the country. Also Worley lost to EU in singles as well. Any thoughts?
I’ll just repeat what I posted above….Ballou had a serious flu the day before and day off the Emory match. He was throwing up before and after doubles and during singles play. I’ve seen other players not play for less than that.
You have to think that Mark Kahan of Amherst has to be in this category if not THE best player in the country. The guy has not lost a division 3 duel match since October 2010. Hasn’t lost a team duel match since Amherst’s first match in March of 2011 either
Bad luck for the Hens last night against Midd – Sabel got injured pretty badat the start of the third set. P-P may be without him for a while… Which certainly hurts their most consistent dubs team and forces 4-7 to play up. Certainly helps Whittier’s and Cruz’s cause. Still, I like P-Ps chances today.
Tough loss for Pomona yesterday, and too bad about Sabel. Here are my predictions for today assuming he’ll be out:
Dubs: P-P 2-1
Gotta think Belletto will keep his 1 and 3 team together even if Sabel can’t go. Whittier’s played tough at these same positions all season, but I like the hens at 1 and 2 (regardless of who plays with Allinson), Whittier takes 3.
Singles:
Meyer v Seneviratne: Meyer won this match last year with a 6-0 set. Still, Seneviratne has obviously improved. I’ve seen both guys play, and I think Meyer takes it because his solid baseline style will break down Julian’s (overly) aggressive all-court game
Wiechert v Carregha: Wiechert’s won 12 matches in a row, and I can’t see his streak ending here, especially against a guy who recently hurt his wrist and has been forced to play a one-handed backhand.
Hudson v Schommer: Schommer’s a relatively weak #3 who struggles against good competition. He can play, but he’s just not consistent enough from the ground to overcome Hudson’s big forehand.
Allinson v Heron: Whittier’s freshman has been impressive so far this season. His big serve and forehand should push him to the victory here. Allinson just hasn’t been very good this season at all.
Singh v Hansen: Like Schommer, Hansen just struggles against solid competition from the ground. Singh doesn’t miss much, and it takes an aggressive net-rusher to beat him. Hansen’s solid in doubles, but I just don’t think he’ll be able to sustain aggressive play against Singh.
Chang v. Shimizu: I know very little about either player except that both teams like their guys. Shmizu’s been starting for longer, though, so I’ll give him the edge here.
FINAL: P-P 6-3
If they ever were going to it would be now after PP is coming off crushing loss. If they don’t I think it’s time everyone finally stops hyping them up.
and Lane…
Ballou definitely one of the best players in the country right now. Only d3 losses came at the hands of Brandeis (fluke) and shulman
And Pottish… And Frey…
Maybe Worley at #2 would be the right move for Cal Lu. Played there all last year and did better than Wilson is doing there,
No he didn’t. Worley started at 2 last year and really struggled, particularly at indoors. Been at 3 ever since.
Worley had a really rough time at #2 last year (though his Indoors struggles were at #3), and he has done much much better since Wilson moved ahead of him. He has also played a couple matches at 2 this year, losing against CNU and winning against Trinity (even though DelaFuente is really Trinity’s 3 player). Meanwhile, Wilson was rock solid at #3 last year, and has done better, on average, than Worley at 2, including a nice win over Emory.
I think the main problem for Cal Lu is that Wilson and Worley are almost exactly as good as each other; whereas, many top teams have an small but noticeable drop off after their top 2 singles players (Emory, CMS, Cruz, P-P, and I think we can add Williams to that list). If you’re playing basically the same player at 2 and 3 singles, obviously, the guy at 3 is going to win more. It’s just my opinion, but I don’t think it’s a stack, and I think Cal Lu has their singles lineup in order
I don’t think they are stacking, but now Worley has gotten some wins and confidence and might do better at #2.
nobody insinuated they were stacking…
Kingsmen are so close to being that top 5 team. If they get one more match to step up, They can make it happen in the elite matches. Ballou and Worley, convincing #1 in the nation doubles team right now. Worley and Ballou are just destroying kids left and right. Ballou beating #1 players this badly…..looks like he finally hit the ground from all his injuries and is showing his true form now. Worley has just racked up the wins against nationally ranked players. He is cruising at 3. No problems. NEED ONE MORE!!! I think they have time to get to that level by the time the tournament comes around.
Good think for CLU that Wilson has picked up his play a bit, or else they’d pretty much have to move Worley up to #2. You have to wonder whether he should be there with all his solid wins and how that change might affect CLU altogether. Still, as long as Wilson can win some matches ahead of Worley, I doubt we’ll see this happen.