It’s a relatively light week for D3 tennis. There’s a calm between Spring Break and the storm of conference tournament time, but there are a couple great NESCAC and SCIAC matchups in the coming weeks, so we have that to get pumped about.
Tuesday
#26 Gustavus Adolphus vs. #20 Whittier
Gustavus hasn’t really done much since Indoors, but this is a big week for them. They need to win at least one match in California, so they can feel good about themselves going into their conference tournament and nationals. Whittier is their best chance to pick up a win, and I would even say they are favored. I only say that because Whittier looked less than impressive against the Claremont schools, and GAC is still the only team to make Emory sweat this year. The Gusties are, however, playing away from their home courts, and that might affect the outcome of this match. Still, Gustavus is stronger in doubles than Whittier is, and I expect them to take 2 and 3 doubles. They should also win at 3 and 5 singles, but Whittier is pretty strong at 1, 2, 4, and 6. I think the match might come down to whoever takes #1 doubles. GAC has to be favored there, but Whittier has a strong team. I’m going to pick GAC to win this one 6-3 with a doubles sweep and three singles matches.
Wednesday
#26 Gustavus Adolphus vs. #12 Pomona-Pitzer
Pomona beat Gustavus when they met at Indoors, and I see no reason to expect the result to change on Pomona’s home courts. If anything, things will only get worse for the Gusties, as they were able to take two of three doubles from Pomona in front of their home crowd. I’m guessing Pomona-Pitzer takes two of three this time around and coasts to a 7-2 victory.
Thursday
#28 MIT vs. Brandeis
I have lost all confidence in the Judges and MIT has just looked better so far this year. I think they probably win this 6-3 or 7-2.
#25 Mary Washington vs. Christopher Newport
Speaking of teams I have lost all confidence in, Mary Washington may have beaten Salisbury, but they haven’t won a significant match in a while. They even almost lost to Franklin & Marshall (I don’t know them either). Christopher Newport is the perfect kind of team to beat them. If they can take a couple doubles matches, they will win the top 2 singles positions and find another win somewhere in the lineup. I think CNU finally breaks through with a 5-4 win.
Friday
#27 Gustavus Adolphus vs. #8 CMS
This is the exactly the sort of match I would have been worried about CMS losing a couple weeks ago because GAC plays with a lot of heart, but not anymore. GAC will go after the Stags hard in doubles, but CMS is just too tough. They will win at least two doubles matches and also coast to victory in singles. My guess is 8-1 for CMS.
Pottish and freshman Kowalski at 3 doubs going to be tough to beat.
Pomona clinches 6-1. Probably more important for Pomona is that Singh appears to be back at six for them after a lengthy absence from injury.
CNU 1,2, Maybe 3 doubles and 1,2, and 6 singles. Win 5-4 or 6-3
Gustavus 5 Whittier 4…nice write-up on the Whittier website..
http://www.wcpoets.com/sports/mten/2011-12/Releases/20120403zdjzm8
Gustavus wins 5-4. Tyler Johnson pulls out #4 singles win 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 7-5. Wins at 1 dubs, 2 singles, 4-6 singles. They have proven they were quite underrated going into this year.
Whittier-GAC tied at 4-4 down to last match. Whittier was up 2-1 after doubles
Gustavus comes back for the 5-4 win in a 3 setter.
mary wash either 6-3 or 5-4. there’s just not enough depth for CNU
Mary Wash 7-2
Mary wash 6-3