I’m back from my workout and I’m about to get into one of the powerhouse previews of the weekend. Amherst vs. Chicago is your “Quarterfinal you are most looking forward to” and I hope our NCAA coverage has done this whole tournament justice. All I know is that D3NE needs to get the damn bracket challenge link on the left side of the site. That would be the biggest upset of the weekend if he actually remembers to get that done. Speaking of NE, I’ll be taking over his duties once again as I preview this Amhesrt vs. Chicago match, because that’s what I do. I’m like Hopkins, the sleeping giant. Call me out and I come out firing.
The reason why this matchup is so intriguing is that there is basically equal amount of talent on both teams. Thing is, one team won the championship last year, the other one has never been to this stage in the game. Chicago is featuring a first time Elite 8 coach in Jay Tee, and I believe this will actually be his first NCAA tournament overall (for men’s). That means a lot in terms of experience, as the Guru pointed out in Chicago’s Uphill battle. However, Coach Doebler will also be debuting in the NCAAs this year, but he has DI experience to back his case up and a team that won it all. This will be a blow-for-blow battle and either team will have to battle to win this one. Amherst probably hated this draw because now they have to go through Chicago, Midd/TU, and CMS to get another title. That’s tough. Okay, let’s get to the match by match.
#1 Doubles – Solimano/Revzin (Herst) vs. Sabada/Bhargava (Chi)
Huge matchup at #1, and Chicago has the senior duo of Sabada and Bhargava there to hopefully solidify their chances here. Solimano and Revzin have beaten a ton of teams this year including Pomona, Wash U, Middlebury, amongst others. They are a top team in the country as they both bring a ton of firepower to the court. Chicago’s #1 team on the other hand is a solid team that has the groundstrokes to compete, but they also have great chemistry and a knack for knowing where their partner will be on the court. This is a veteran team and I expect this one to be a swing match. It’s tough to pick this one because I really believe in the Herst team, but for some reason I think Sabada and Bhargava [SENIORS] win this one. Chicago, 9-8 (3)
#2 Doubles – Zykov/Yaraghi (Herst) vs. Tsai/Hawkins (CHI)
D3Central said that it really depends on which team of the Tsai/Hawkins combo shows up. Hawkins is a wild card with that crazy backhand, and Tsai can come up with big shots when he needs to. But, they are playing one of the best #2 teams in the country, The Herst #2 team made quick work of the Skidmore #2 team last week but that doesn’t tell the story of their season. They’ve also beaten Williams (8-2), Wash U (8-5), Middlebury, Williams again, and so many others to be a feared team. Tsai/Hawkins need to be 100% game on to take this match. I am almost sure that the Herst team should take this one. Amherst 8-3.
#3 Doubles – Einbinder/Scheiner (HERST) vs. Chua/Liu (CHI)
SWING MATCH CENTRAL!!! Amherst has been inconsistent with their #3 team this year and that showed against the Ephs when they got upset in hte NESCAC tournament. This team is a question mark on the Herst side and Chicago needs this match to really put a scare in Herst and make them nervous for the singles portion of the match. Chua normally sits at the back and rips backhands past people, so this will test the Herst volleys when they are two up at the net. Liu needs to be on his game at net because he needs to pick off any easy balls to turn the match in the Maroons favor. I am having a hard time picking this one and when that happens, I go with the team that has been here before. Amherst, 8-6.
#1 Singles – Andrew Yaraghi (HERST) vs. Nicholas Chua (Chicago)
Man, I want to watch this one. Yaraghi and his crafty shots vs. Chua and his baseball bat backhand. Yaraghi was the Chua of his class, except it has taken him a little bit to get to the #1 spot that he has been destined to take. I’ve followed Yaraghi’s career ever since the juniors and he has this “cool kid” vibe on the court, it’s like nothing ever rattles him. Nothing seems to rattle Chua either (other than his backhand flying long) and he has played his fair share of close matches. This one is so tough and I think it will be unfinished, and it really depends on how Chua handles the jitters. He dominated the UAA tournament in three setters and he should be ready, but wow, this is tough. Chicago, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 (unfinished probably)
#2 Singles – Anton Zykov (HERST) vs. Sven Kranz (CHI)
Advantage, Amherst. Despite Zykov moving up to #2 singles in what looks to be a nice lineup decision by Coach Doebler, he’s still a super legit player there. Kranz has been potentially the weak spot in the Chicago lineup all year as he took losses in both his UAA matches against Emory and CMU. He has a strange game for a big guy and Zykov should be able to take advantage of his somewhat grinding style to move him around the court and finish the point. Zykov all the way here. Amherst 6-2, 6-4.
#3 Singles – Michael Solimano (HERST) vs. Deepak Sabada (CHI)
A big matchup here between an up and coming star in Solimano and the senior on his last legs in Sabada. Sabada has been playing way behind the baseline recently (contrary to what someone said in the comments) and uses his strong return to try and start points. Well, he better have that thing on for Solimano and his big time serve. Solimano is crafty and has a perfect game for Sabada’s style. I hate going against a senior in these type of matches, but we’re talking about the kid that clinched the whole thing last year over CMS. That’s what we really mean by senior performance. There are people that get it. Seniors are usually those people, but Solimano is too. I’m taking the big lefty. Amherst 7-5, 6-3.
#4 Singles – Aaron Revzin (HERST) vs. Peter Leung (CHI)
Power matchup! If Chicago is going to win this matchup, they need their guys at the bottom of the lineup to go HAM. Regional had a fun stat in his article – wait, never mind. NE told me something about the Chicago bottom of the lineup. They are something like 30+-4 on the season or something, which is straight fire. They’ve played some really good teams too, so it’s not like cakewalk city out there. Leung vs. Rezvin will be FUN TO WATCH. Man, I love this Amherst/Chicago match. Despite all these stats, how will Leung handle the pressure of the NCAA tournament. Will he be able to keep his head? Although Rezvin hasn’t had a stellar year, I’m thinking slight advantage Amherst. Amherst 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
#5 Singles – Sean Rodriguez (HERST) vs. Luke Tsai (CHI)
The man they call Luke Tsai”Walker” has the advantage in this match. He has been LIGHTS OUT this year with a game that makes you beat him from the baseline. At #5 singles, that’s unbelievably hard to do. Rodriguez hasn’t been that impressive as of late, losing to Williams and playing very close with Skidmore’s #5 in the Sweet 16. I honestly don’t think he’s seen someone as tough as Luke Tsai this year and this will be a wake up call for him. The more I look at this Amherst lineup, the more I think CMS is the far and away favorite this year. May the force be with Luke. He takes this one. Chicago 6-3, 6-3.
#6 Singles – Andrew Arnaboldi (HERST) vs. David Liu (CHI)
ANOTHER great matchup! Can Amherst and Chicago just play like three times in this tournament. I’d be happy to let that happen. Arnaboldi is kind of a newcomer to the Amherst lineup this year but he clearly can play, he’s knocked out Astrachan of Williams lately and has been close with a ton of other players. However, he has lost to Kim of PP, went three with van der Geest of Middlebury, lost to Roddy of Bowdoin, and generally has not been a top #6 all year. Liu, on the other hand, has. With wins over Zheng (CMU), Haugen (Wash U), van Lent (Case), and Malech (PP), Liu has been a top #6 this year. He takes control of points with his groundstrokes and you really have to knock him off the baseline to beat him. I don’t see Arnaboldi doing this and I have Liu in this match. Chicago, 7-5, 7-5.
Overall Prediction – Amherst, 5-3. (#1 singles UNF)
There’s another preview for you. This one is going to be CLOSE AF. Sorry to all the older folks who don’t get that last reference and look it up, lol. This is truly the match to watch in the NCAA tournament, which is crazy to think because Emory and Wash U are playing. I repeat, Emory and Wash U are playing. Get up!!! This match could really turn if Chicago takes 2 of the 3 doubles or if Amherst sweeps. If Amherst sweeps, this will be a disappointing 5-0. But if they don’t, get ready for a battle. This match could have a long term effect on the winner because playing three matches in back-to-back-to-back days is tough. Amherst needs all the energy they can get if they want to take out the Stags. It starts now. ASouth, OUT.
Agree with your 5-3 Amherst prediction, but disagree on a couple of points:
1. Solimano is not a lefty, and he’s not really crafty either–he’s got a physical, net-rushing game with a huge down-the-line backhand. I actually think Sabada matches up well, provided he’s lining up his passing shots, but think Solimano wins in the end.
2. To my mind, you undersell Sven’s ability to go from defense to offense and rush the net–although you’re right, Zykov probably wins.
One other variable is that Chicago still hasn’t finished their academic year, since the quarter system runs into June. No idea whether/how this could affect their preparation, but it does mean they’ve got a layer of stress that other teams don’t face.
I ALWAYS think Solimano is a lefty for some reason! Good thing I’m not D3NE. Maybe I am getting confused with Zykov. One of them is a lefty, somwehere…
Either way, I simply think Solimano will outplay Deepak unfortunately. Too much game. I saw Sven play a couple times this season and he’s struggled a bit this year, and Zykov is one of the best right now. He’s beaten better players, so I’ll stick with that as well.
Thanks for the update on Chicago’s academic year – that’s tough. I remember backin my school I just did two-a-days during the week up until nationals. Definitely plays a big part. Damn trimesters. Thanks for being a loyal commenter! We always appreciate your feedback – freaking awesome!
The funky thing about Solimano’s game is that his one-handed backhand is probably better than his forehand. Thing is ridiculous
Truth. His hands are the best part of his game, but anyone who hits as many forehand slices as Solimano does could be mis-labeled as “crafty”. I think a better term is “unusual.” The combination of the serve and volley plus the forehand slice and BIG TIME one handed backhand makes Soly one of the most unusual and toughest players to play against in DIII.