Regional Players of the Week: April 21st-April 27th

REGIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: April 21st-April 27th

***Apparently there has been some confusion about how to interpret parts of the POTW articles. The fun little tidbits of information at the end of each blogger’s section are designed for you to learn a bit more about each writer. Using today’s piece as an example, the 3 “firsts” are all from the blogger’s point of view. Just so we’re all clear here, A-South’s (and not Will Duncan’s) 1st crush was on Collette Lewis. “Angry Birds” can comment as to his first crush…***

I know that I promised our bracket challenge winner top billing in this week’s POW, but he and I have a little something special for you coming later this week. For now, just sit back, and enjoy your usual dose of weekly accolades. As we gear up for the final week of the regular season, I thought you all might like to know a bit more about the history of the bloggers. What better way to delve into our pasts then with a few firsts…(winks at D3West).

A-SOUTH

Player: William Duncan

Team: Carnegie Mellon Tartans

Results: 2-1 in Singles at UAA Tournament (#2,#3) and 2-1 in doubles (#1 Doubles)

Recap: Duncan gets the nod here not because of his 4-2 record, but more for the quality of matches that he won.  Duncan played a big part in the upset of Emory this past weekend, putting in a dominant performance at #1 doubles.  Not only that, but he ended up clinching the match with a 7-6 third set win over Mosetick after being down 5-3 in the set.  The rest of the weekend, he took a set off of Carswell and generally played awesome.  It looks like Duncan has played his way back into the thick of things and it looks like he has found his game just at the right time.

What’s next: NCAA Tournament and potential hosting! Duncan will also make nationals for doubles as well.

Honorary Mention: Alex Ruderman (EU), Kiril Kirkov (CMU), Nicholas Szczurek (EU), David Lunding-Johannson (UMW)

First Word: Winning

First Crush: Collette Lewis

First D3 Tennis Idol: Paul Burgin

CENTRAL

Player: Alex Habert

Team: Elmhurst Bluejays

Results: 2-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles

Recap: Must give a shout out to Elmhurst as they wrapped up a regular season conference championship in the CCIW. Normally this wouldn’t be that big of a deal, but this year they finally get an AQ to Nationals so a tourney win hopefully follows. Harbert dispatched two solid singles opponents from Augustana (at 1 singles) and Wheaton (at 2 singles). The biggest win would be with partner Will Jung over Wheaton at 1 doubles in a tiebreaker. This gave them the W and the one seed heading into the CCIW tourney. They will need to play just as well to earn the AQ in what looks to be a great battle between three teams.

What’s next: Who will earn the conference berth to Nationals? It will be either Elmhurst, Carthage, or Wheaton. Elmhurst has narrow wins of 5-4 over both of them so having the one seed will be huge for them. Harbart will play a key role.

Honorary Mention: Wade Heerboth (Kenyon), John Carswell (Wash U), Spencer Walter (Capital), Max Hawkins (Chicago

First Word: Follmer

First Crush: Orange

First D3 Tennis Idol: John Watts

NE

Player: Timmy Berg

Team: Bates

Results: 2-1 at #1 singles, 3-0 at #1 doubles

Recap: While i generally don’t like having my Player of the Week take a loss during said week, Berg still gets the nod. Timmy (Does he really still go by Timmy? He’s almost graduated from college!) teamed with Pierre Planche to go 3-0 at #1 doubles and virtually lock up a bid to Nationals. In singles, Berg scored wins over the #3 and #8 ranked players in the region (Carpenter and Bragg) with his win over Bragg clinching Bates’ first win over Bowdoin in recent memory. If I could describe him in two words, theyd be…glorified pusher (just kidding Bates fans, just kidding).

What’s next: NCAA’s for Berg/Planche

Honorary Mention: Nick Cary (Tufts), Conrad Harron (Williams), Justin Reindel (Amherst)

First Word: Wesleyan

First Crush: 1st grade Lunch Lady. Extra tater-tots, if you know what im sayin

First D3 Tennis Idol: Andy Peters

WEST

Player: Neel Kotrappa

Team: CMS

Results: Won Ojai doubles

Recap: There were a lot of good candidates from the West this weekend. Konstantinov and Butts had great runs in both singles and doubles, while Wood won the singles tournament, but I’m gonna go with the Stag captain. The unhearalded 2-star has now fought his way through the ranks of CMS 4-stars to win both the ITA singles championship and the Ojai doubles championship. He and Butts have lost just one match this season (to UCLA), and lead my list for the best #3 doubles teams of all time. Moreover, Kotrappa has been a phenomenal leader, stepping aside in the singles bracket youngsters like Macey, Hull, and Yeh  to get some very valuable experience because you know he could’ve playing in that singles tournament if he really wanted to.

What’s next: SCIAC tournament then Natties

Honorary Mention: Warren Wood (CMS), Skyler Butts (CMS), David Konstantinov (Whittier)

First Word: ThatswhatIsaid

First Crush: The Pink Ranger

First D3 Tennis Idol: Matt Seeberger, duh