Well there hasn’t been too much action lately in Central and I find myself with a little extra time for once. I really wanted to do this for Case and Kenyon (especially after I saw D3AS’s wonderful post on Swat and CMU), but there was a lot going on at the time and I just couldn’t get it done. I plan on doing a Gustavus spring break preview next week so stay tuned for that. Other than that though no spring break for Wash U or Chicago, Carleton isn’t really worth talking about, Coe has a boring schedule, Earlham’s schedule is over, and Denison doesn’t play anyone…oh and Kalamazoo’s trip isn’t worth talking about. They will get smoked 9-0 by both Tx Tyler and Tx Trinity. Really lame news for me. The Central needs to step it up and start proving itself. We are probably by far the weakest overall region (booo!!!), but hopefully Depauw and Whitewater can bring a little respect back. Because at the moment there is a big gap between Kenyon, Case, Wash U, GAC and the rest..
Depauw-Cali
March 23rd at #11 Redlands-
This will be a tough introduction to outdoor tennis for the Tigers. Redlands is tough as nails on their home courts and they really minimize any hopes Depauw had of taking a lead after doubles. I can see the Tigers escaping with a win at 2 doubles for Miles/Kopecky if they are still there, but other than that Redlands is too good. Best case scenario is 2-1 Redlands after dubs.
From there singles shouldn’t be much of a contest. Maybe Kopecky can push Cummins but I don’t see it. 8-1 Redlands is my prediction. They’re just too strong at every position and the Tigers don’t have the talent to pull off the upset.
March 24th vs. #3 Williams-
Probably don’t need to do much for this one seeing as Williams is a better version of Redlands…Williams 9-0 with a split squad most likely…Sorry.
March 24th vs. Occidental-
Oxy just beat Carleton 6-3 and I think Depauw is slightly stronger than them. This match should really come down to how much pride the Tigers have. Neither team is likely going to be ranked at the end of the year but Depauw at least has a shot. Oxy has losses to the South, Mary Wash (#24) and Brandeis which tells me they are pretty vulnerable. Depauw has lost nearly every match but they have been to the best teams in the region and are coming off a nice win over Earlham. I think the Tigers will take a 2-1 lead after dubs and split the singles to win 5-4. Having said that, they could very easily be deflated after the Williams match and lay an egg here. I really hope they show up and represent the Central well, but I don’t trust this team yet so I’m not overly confident here.
March 25th at #26 Whittier-
Well if Chicago can beat Depauw 7-2, I don’t see them having much of a shot at an upset here. Whittier has been improving a lot and they look pretty tough right now. More than can be said for the Tigers. Maybe a point in doubles and one more in singles for Depauw? I know the Poets will be ready to go on their home courts and should squander any hope with a 7-2 victory.
March 26th vs #9 UC Santa Cruz-
More of the same here for the Tigers. They have a nice slue of matches but they really are no match for these top caliber West teams. Cruz looks to be coming together nicely once returning to some outdoor tennis and there’s no way they lose this match. Sorry for being such a downer spring break but 9-0 Cruz. I just don’t see where they can even get a point…
When all is said and done this will be a brutal spring trip. The most important thing for the Tigers to take away from this trip is experience. If they can battle a little and get tougher as a team it will be a productive trip. The key is to not worry about the overall score but focus on playing your best tennis and improving…that’s really the only thing I can think of.
Whitewater-Cali
March 23rd vs #19 Amherst-
This match is intriguing for a couple reasons. First, this will be Whitewater’s first outdoor match in months. Second, Amherst has been known to split squads and I could see them severely overlooking the Hawks. If I’m Amherst I wouldn’t take the Warhawks too lightly, but I still think Amherst is far too talented to lose this. Doubles will be key, because if Whitewater goes down I really don’t see them winning 4 singles matches. Ultimately I think Amherst gets a 2-1 lead into singles.
For singles it will be interesting to see how Shklyar can do outdoors against out-of-region players. After looking at the other teams Amherst plays this day, I really think we will see most of their lineup playing. Under that assumption it’s going to be tough for the Hawks to take any spot decisively, but I think there will be close matches here and there. In the end, I think ‘Herst will be too talented and win 6-3.
March 24th vs. #3 Williams-
This match should be fairly similar to the previous one. Williams is loaded with talent and I don’t think they will be sleeping for this one. No need to go into too much depth here. I think Williams wins comfortably 8-1 or 7-2.
March 26th vs Williamette-
Finally, an easy one for the Warhawks. Williamette is a decent team but they don’t stand much of a chance here. Whitewater should put their foot down and assert some dominance with a 7-2 win or so. This will be some much needed confidence as they head into their next match…
March 26th at #22Pomona-Pitzer-
If you would have said at the beginning of the year that this match would be massive for Pomona most people probably would have laughed. As it stands, this is a huge matchup in terms of regional pride as well as national implication. If Pomona losses this one it would surely be one of the toughest seasons in recent years, and if the Warhawks can win it would be huge for the program. Not a whole lot to be lost for the Hawks and not too much to be gained for Pomona…smells like a trap.
Pomona has been much better on its home courts and that could be huge for them in doubles. The Warhawks still haven’t hit their stride in doubles and we might even see a sweep for Pomona. I think its 2-1 Pitz, the energetic Hawks should be able to take a doubles point. Singles has been Pomona’s achilles heal and it’s been Whitewater’s most improved aspect from years past. Whitewater’s depth is strong and Pomona’s is weak. It will definitely come down to how the top spots play out. In the end, I think Pomona pulls it out 5-4. Being on their home courts will be a game-changer and I just don’t know how the Hawks will handle outdoor tennis compared to these warm-weather schools. Should be a great match though.
March 28th vs #14 Middlebury-
Middlebury gets right into the meat of the schedule starting this week. They play a bunch of great teams and play Claremont right before this one, according to their schedule. If the Claremont match is barn-burner it could play a role in this match. Especially factoring in the matches leading up to this. I honestly don’t know too much about Middlebury this year, but I’m sure they just as talented as always. I don’t think the Warhawks have much of a shot here either, unfortunately. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple matches go Whitewater’s way but in the end I picture a comfortable 7-2 win for Midd.
Overall, if Whitewater can squeeze out a win or two over Midd, Williams, Pomona, and/or Amherst it would be an incredible feat. They come in with nothing to lose and a lot to prove. Honestly, it’s a great situation for them and if these teams overlook them they will be in for a battle. Unfortunately I just don’t think they have the talent to match up with these top-tier teams. But, I do give them props that they at least put themselves in the position to find out what they’re made of.