WESLEYAN SPRING BREAK PREVIEW
Time for another edition of everybody’s favorite type of article, D3NE getting really excited about Wesleyan! Wes is #23 in the ITA’s rankings, and only 9th in the regional rankings due to a couple disappointing losses last spring.
They currently sit 16th in our Power Rankings, but that will undoubtedly change (who knows in which direction) after this week. The Cards played D1 Georgetown today, and fell 6-1, but check out that lineup…The top of the lineup is relatively unsurprising with Michael Liu at #1 and Steven Chen at #2, but Eusebio, the Wake Forest transfer slotting in at #3 is nice to see for Cards fans. Roberts, formerly the Cards #1, is now in at #4, while Samson (the Cards best freshman recruit) played at #5. Remember that Samson beat Trinka at the ITA this fall, but then retired before the following round. Yadav playing #6 should give other teams shudders. The dude was unbelievably solid at #4 last year as a freshman, and should be more than just a tough out at #6. It’s still really tough to try and go match by match given that the Cards have only played one match so far this spring, but here goes nothin.
Wednesday 4 pm: #16 Wesleyan @ #10 Pomona-Pitzer
The Cardinals monster of a spring break begins with the most important match for Pool-C consideration. PP already has a loss to CMU, which means they carry an indirect loss to Case Western, two teams ranked in the top-10 and very much in the hunt for one of five Pool-C NCAA berths. After that mediocre Indoors, the Coop has been defended. PP overcame a doubles deficit to beat Bates in a 6-3 match that wasn’t as close as the score, and overcame another deficit to beat Mary Washington in a 5-4 match that was actually closer than the score (if that’s possible). The Hens are known for their never-say-die attitude, but they don’t quite seem to be the same Hens of yesteryear (2015 to be exact). Their doubles was their strength last season, and it has been a weakness so far in 2016. A doubles deficit against Wesleyan could be catastrophic, although the Cards (historically) are likely the worst doubles team on PP’s schedule to date. The Cards had a doubles specialist on each of their teams earlier today (Brint at #1, Rudovsky at #2, and Lyon at #3). All three guys have played in the doubles lineup before, and it wouldn’t be that surprising for them to become regulars. However, even though PP’s dubs have been a bit shaky of late, they are probably favored at all three spots. As sweeps are rare, I’ll give PP a 2-1 lead going into singles. Yasgoor and Liu should be a war right off the bat, and either way I think this one goes three sets. Maassen and Chen should be an absolute grind at #2. Neither guy really hits the other off the court, and both are smooth with top footwork. Bello played #3 recently for the Hens, but didn’t fare so well. If he stays there, I think Eusebio has an advantage. If Kim plays #3, then I think we have yet another toss-up. Eusebio is likely he more talented player, but I love Kim’s will to win. If Bello plays #4, then he and Roberts will provide some fireworks, if Kim plays #4, I think he outlasts Mr. Roberts and his fiery forehand. Malech should provide Samson a good test at #5, while Mandic and Yadav should be yet another grind at #6, although I think Yadav is the favorite there. I realize I’ve said a lot without saying very much, so here it is. Pomona-Pitzer beats Wesleyan 5-4 with 2/3 doubles wins, and wins at #1, #2, and #4 (including a couple of three-setters for the clinch). Hey, I kept picking Wesleyan to pull off the upset in 2015, maybe the jinx will do the trick in 2016?
Friday 2 pm: #16 Wesleyan @ #17 Redlands
Redlands will be a bit higher in this week’s power rankings (which should hopefully come out tomorrow) after taking down Mary Washington to earn its best win of the young season. Although the Dawgs don’t have any big Pool-C wins yet (their best Pool-C win is either Bates or Brandeis), this 8-0 Redlands team has done everything in its power to put itself back into the Pool-C conversation. Like in the PP match, doubles is going to be gigantic here. If Wesleyan takes at least one point, they will have a real shot to win this match. Redlands always plays solid doubles, but this year their singles strength is in their depth. Wesleyan has a similar strength, so the singles results here (again, like PP) should be telling. I’ll give Redlands a similar 2-1 edge after doubles, but a sweep here is not out of the question. Wesleyan should have a better chance at the top here, but I wouldn’t say that they’re big favorites. Taylor Hunt has been playing like a mad-grad at #5, and both Parker Wilson and Jake Ly have been playing well at #4 and #6 respectively. Overall though, I can’t go two matches without picking Wesleyan to win? The world might end. What else can I do? The Cards, overcoming a doubles deficit, and winning a whole heap of close matches to get the 5-4 Wesleyan victory.
Saturday 12 pm: #16 Wesleyan vs. George Fox @ UC-Riverside
The latter two matches of the Cards’ trip will be previewed later in the week, but here is just a little taste of what’s to come. Wesleyan’s easiest match comes at the right time during their break. They can rest a guy or two if need be (remember that their biggest strength is their depth), and they get another opportunity to work on their outdoor match-play. My guess is we see somewhat of a different lineup from the Cards as Coach Fried tries to get his talented alternates like Smith and Daniels some action. You never know what can happen with DIII doubles, but I would wager that Coach Fried might pull a player or two if his Cards have a lead going into singles.
Monday 10 am: #16 Wesleyan vs. #6 Trinity Tx @ CMS
The Tigers will be fresh off a tough weekend of Stag Hen action, which means that Wesleyan (who is not playing in this year’s tournament) should be the fresher of the two squads. Trinity Tx is certainly used to playing outdoors, but Wesleyan will have had about a week of friendly California sun, so that shouldn’t be TOO much of an issue. The bigger issue is that Trinity is simply a bad matchup for the Cards. Deuel and Krull will both certainly be favored at the top of the singles lineup, and the Tigers should also be favored at all 3 doubles spots. Even if Wesleyan some how took the other four singles matches (and Trinity isn’t slouching at the bottom of their lineup with guys like Mayer and Niess), that’s still a recipe for a TU victory. Bad news, it’s too early to predict this matchup. Good news, like I said, I’ll be bringing along a full match preview over the weekend, once we’ve gotten a better look at Wesleyan against PP and Redlands. Drink up, everybody!