Everybody knows what happened the last time these two teams met. Wash U won a not-really-all-that-competitive 6-3 match in the semis of National Indoors, which has weighed pretty heavy on TU’s resume ever since. If you think this match is going to follow the same script, however, you are sorely mistaken. For one, this match will be played on the slow, outdoor, CMS courts as opposed to inside. Second, TU has shifted their lineup around, so that only 4 positions will feature rematches. Of the 4 rematches, TU won 3 of them last time around, so that’s something to consider. Enough West region bias. Let’s do this.
#1 doubles: Bush/Putterman (Wash U) vs. Deuel/Moreno (TU)
Central: Well there are about 5 swing matches in this whole thing and one dubs is one of them. I am really high on Bush and Putterman as a duo as they have absolutely taken all challengers and usually were victorious. Putterman is not a weaker partner as he has a great kick serve and a big forehand so they will always have an edge. I believe Trinity has gotten better since the first meeting, but still won’t be enough to take down these Bears. Wash U wins 8-6.
West: Bush/Putterman have been absolutely fantastic this year, but they are coming off a loss to Whitman’s #1s. Watching them play, it’s honestly hard to see how they ever lose because they seem to have all the tools. Nonetheless, this match will be closer than it was last time around. Deuel/Moreno recovered from a slow start to the season to notch several impressive results over non-DIII opponents over the latter half of the season. CMS’ courts should play to their strength. This will be an absolutely massive match, as I believe TU really needs a 2-1 doubles lead to win this match. I’m going with the Tigers here, 9-8 (10).
#2 doubles: Carswell/Cogan (Wash U) vs. Mayer/Haugen (TU)
Central: This is definitely where the Bears are weakest as Carswell is a baseliner and Cogan isn’t bad, but also not phenomenal. They surely have the talent to win here as dubs always poses an interesting dynamic of anyone can win, but for prediction sake, i have to give the Tigers the edge. Trinity wins 8-5
West: Not only did Mayer/Haugen beat Carswell/Cogan last time around, but they’ve also been TU’s most reliable doubles position this season by some margin. Simply put, if the Tigers are going to win this match, this is a point they absolutely have to have against what is probably Wash U’s weakest doubles position. Mayer and Haugen are two weathered veterans who will rise to the challenge. 9-7 TU.
#3 doubles: Chu/Hirsch (Wash U) vs. Curtis/Niess (TU)
Central: Early in the season I probably mentioned the weakness of this team, but I definitely was wrong. Hirsch really has stepped it up and Chu has been a pleasant surprise in both singles and doubles. They took down a different Trinity team early in the year which means nothing since it is a completely new opponent, but whatever team Trinity throws out there, I would give the edge to Wash U. I mean let’s be real here. It’s May and we are talking about the final four team! Wash U 8-6
West: One of my fellow bloggers mistakenly said that Wash U’s #3 team has already beaten TU’s #3 team last time out. True, they beat the #3 doubles team that was playing at the time, but they did not beat this team. Niess, as a freshman, has proven himself to be a very formidable doubles threat, and he has been even more potent with Curtis than he was with Chas Meyer. I’m not going to go against the experience and great doubles presence of Hirsch here, but this will be a very key match to watch. I think TU takes the team match if they take a 2-1 doubles lead, but I’m going 9-8 Wash U.
#1 singles: Putterman (Wash U) vs. Deuel (TU)
Central: Well regionally Putterman has been terrible, but on the national level, he has actually faired pretty well. With that it is hard to tell what you will get, but it is no secret that every member of this blog thinks Putterman playing 1 is a stack. However I completely understand the freshman don’t play 1 rule that Follmer has. The Bears are a better team with the lineup how it is now. Deuel will be too much for Putterman. Trinity 6-4, 6-4
West: There’s no secret where I’m going with this one, but these two actually didn’t really even finish their match last time around. Deuel has been a notoriously slow starter this season, and Putterman took the first set in the tiebreaker when these two played at Indoors. I think this match will be eerily similar, except Deuel will benefit a little from the match being played outside on CMS’ slow courts. This is a point TU absolutely has to have if they’re gonna win this match. Deuel 7-5, 6-1
#2 singles: Carswell (Wash U) vs. Haugen (TU)
Central: Uh I really only have one thing to say. John Carswell does not lose D3 Tennis matches. It will be interesting to see how he does in individuals, but for this match it will be much of the same. Carswell 7-5, 6-2
West: Haugen has had a great season for TU, just barely missing a nationals berth thanks in large part to a victory over Yasgoor, but there’s nothing really to suggest that he’s about to take down the UAA player of the year. Carswell just beat La Cava 1 and 0, so yeah… Carswell 6-4 6-3.
#3 singles: Bush (Wash U) vs. Moreno (TU)
Central: Swing match number 2 happens here. Bush has been nothing but solid for his team as the tried and true be up after dubs and lean on 2-4 singles to win has been exactly what the doctor ordered. Or what Follmer orders anyways. It is hard to pick against Bush almost as much as it is tough to pick against Carswell. Nico and his struggles of late make it an easy pick for Bush to win. Bush 6-4, 6-4.
West: Nico got beat pretty handily by Noack at Indoors, he’s coming off a loss to MacGibbon and there’s not a whole lot on his record to suggest that he’s about to come out and beat Bush. If he can sink his teeth into the match, the freshman might get a little nervous, but I think Bush is the superior player. Bush 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
#4 singles: Noack (Wash U) vs. Skinner (TU)
Central: This match becomes a huge swing match if Wash U is down after dubs. IF they are, Noack needs to come up massive and upset Skinner which I think he is more than capable of doing. His game is one that he will not beat himself in a match ever. If Skinner is struggling, it could spell trouble. He is not playing anywhere near the level he has been since last season, but I still think he prevails in this match. Skinner wins 7-6, 6-3
West: Here’s where TU’s lineup change could really impact this match. I’m not saying this is a stack because Skinner was really struggling this season, but if he has really gotten his swag back, as he seems to have, he’s just not a #4 singles player. He’s also solid enough from the ground not to really be bothered by Noack’s style. I think Skinner takes this one for the boys. 6-4, 6-1.
#5 singles: Kratky (Wash U) vs. Mayer (TU)
Central: I’m not real big on Kratky and because of that he sometimes surprises me with solid wins. He wasn’t able to win last time in this match so that is a pretty solid predictor of future performance, but I for some reason think this one will be a battle. Obviously Mayer is the favorite, but I think Kratky will give him all that he can handle. Mayer wins 6-2, 6-7, 6-3
West: This is pretty straight-forward prediction-wise, even though it won’t be a straight-forward match. Mayer is undefeated this season in DIII matches, and he routined Kratky last time out. The Bear sophomore has another level that he can tap into, but you gotta go with experience and past results here. Mayer 7-5 7-6 (4).
#6 singles: Chu (Wash U) vs. Curtis (TU)
Central: Chu has been the surprise of the year for the Bears. I am not sure we could have expected him to play so well at 6 and he continues to impress each match. Curtis is a good player do not get me wrong, but Chu has got the goods to take this one down. He is peaking at the right time and his team is going to need him this match. Chu wins 7-5, 6-3
West: Once again, Curtis was out of the lineup when these two teams met at Indoors, so this will be another change. Curtis has always been clutch for the boys, but he might be a little out of his league in this match. He lost against GAC, while Chu just kicked the shit out of Rivers from Whitman. I gotta go with Chu in this one, but if TU is gonna swing the match, this would be a great match to have. Chu 6-4, 6-4.
Central Overall Prediction: Wash U 5-4
West Overall Prediction: Trinity 5-4
Well if you look at the predictions, we don’t differ in 8 of the 9 spots. So a lead in dubs will be massive! How can you pick against Wash U though? They always find a way to make it to the final four. THIS SHOULD BE AN EPIC BATTLE,
TU 5-1, surprised the heck out of me and I’m a TU homer.