REGIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: April 28th-May 4th
No real intro needed this week. Central wanted me to point out his reference to “Bloodsport”, but for those of us who didn’t grow up in the 1930’s (1988), I went for the more current pop-culture reference (Game of Thrones). Enjoy the last pre NCAA POTW! NOTE: After reading the other writer’s POTW picks, can I say that whoever takes CMS photos is a cut above the rest (I see you Joe Dorn). Take a look at the Stags roster pics here: http://www.cmsathletics.org/sports/mten/2013-14/roster. They even make Settles look like less of a White Walker…I kid because I love.
A-SOUTH
Player: Christian Carcione
Team: Swarthmore Garnet
Results: 1-1 in Singles, 2-0 in Doubles in the Centennial Conference Tournament
Recap: Carcione had a very good weekend, clinching his teams match against Haverford in the semifinals of the Centennial Conference Tournament. Not to mention, he also won at #3 doubles with his teammate Dan Park. Against the powerhouse JHU Blue Jays, Carcione notched his teams only win at #3 doubles with Park, and also took a set off of Erik Lim in singles. It was a great weekend for an unheralded player from Swat.
What’s next: Nothing left, as Swarthmore will miss the tournament. Congrats on graduating, Mr. Carcione!
Honorary Mention: D3West
Favorite Book Character: Christian Grey, 50 Shades of Grey
Favorite TV Character: Plankton, Spongebob SquarePants
Favorite Movie Character: Bang (Green Monstar), Space Jam
CENTRAL
Player: Luke Tanaka
Team: Elmhurst College
Results: 2-0 in singles (#4) and 2-0 in doubles (#2) at the CCIW tourney
Recap: This is the second week in a row I have picked a player from Elmhurst, but in all honesty, these guys deserve it. While last week’s winner Alex Harbert deserves a ton of credit for upsetting Ryan Kreis in a third set to clinch the CCIW final for the automatic qualifier, Tanaka was undefeated in both singles and doubles for Blue Jays. Luke “Shidoshi” Tanaka put the Dim Mak on his opponent in the final and double bageled him to keep the momentum going after doubles. His doubles partner Chris Harrison also did the same with a quick match win at 6 as well. If you get the movie references in this recap, we will be best friends for life.
What’s next: The first ever NCAA appearance for Elmhurst! This is a pretty cool accomplishment for the team so it will be interesting to see how they handle it. Their best bet will be to get a 4 or 5 seed and get a winnable first round match. Either way, congrats to the Blue Jays!
Honorary Mention: Alex Harbert (Elmhurst), Otterbein Doubles Teams, Phillip Locklear (Earlham), Noah Sprinkel (Coe)
Favorite Book Character: Myron Bolitar
Favorite TV Character: Jeff Winger or Abed Nadir
Favorite Movie Character: Chong Li (RIP)
NE
Player: Amherst Doubles
Team: Amherst…duh
Results: 6-0 at NESCACs (swept Williams and Middlebury)
Recap: I know, I know you all might call this a cop-out. HOWEVER, I don’t really care what you all think (that’s a total lie, I crave everyone’s affection) and all three of the Jeff’s doubles’ teams deserve some major praise. Not only, did the Jeffs sweep their arch-rivals in the semis, but they swept the Panthers in the tournament finals as well. The last time that Amherst had played both of these teams, the Jeffs went into singles down 2-1. Not this time! In order for Amherst to make a deep run in the tournament, which is something they are completely able to do, they will need to continue to set the tone with their doubles play. This is one of the few teams in the country who have the doubles that on their best day could challenge CMS. If they continue this sort of play, the Jeffs become the immediate favorite…to finish 2nd (sorry WashU).
What’s next: NCAAs baby! The Jeffs should get a one seed with a somewhat favorable draw now that they avenged one of their two DIII losses on the season.
Honorary Mention: Jimmy Sherpa (Skidmore), Matt Heinrich (Stevens), Michael Feldman (Stevens)
Favorite Book Character: Tock, The Phantom Tollbooth
Favorite TV Character: Dr. Gregory House
Favorite Movie Character: Maximus Decimus Meridius, for he shall have his vengeance, in this life or the next.
WEST
Player: Joe Dorn
Team: CMS
Results: 3-0 at #1 doubles and 2-0 at #2 singles during the SCIAC championships
Recap: The biggest result of the weekend for Mr. Dorn was his three-set, NCAA-appearance-saving victory over Weichert. Despite Weichert’s struggles this season, the win proved that Dorn would be playing #1 for pretty much any other team in the country. The Hammer notched an easy singles victory over Schommer, and teamed with Wood to avenge their two SCIAC doubles losses this season, beating Weichert/Bello and Konstantinov/Schommer en route to the team championship.
What’s next: NCAAs! The road to the national championship goes through Claremont this year. Dorn also figures to qualify for both the singles and doubles tournaments.
Honorary Mention: Moises Cardenas (CLU), Chris Schommer (Whittier)
Favorite Book Character: Severus Snape, always
Favorite TV Character: Tim Riggins
Favorite Movie Character: Colonel Hans Landa, Inglorious Bastards