NCAA Quarterfinal Preview: #6 Wash U vs. #3 Middlebury

NCAA Quarterfinal Preview: #6 Wash U vs #3 Middlebury

D3NE: I continually underestimate Wash U. D3Central continually underestimates Wash U. Almost everybody in the world underestimates Wash U except for The Guru, Coach Follmer, and probably D3Dad. They have had one of the more remarkable in-season turnarounds in program history, and have made yet another quarterfinals, so are they are being underestimated again? On the other side of the net, you have a team getting as much praise as any in the country. Even though they’re ranked behind CMS, and lost to the Stags earlier this year, Midd is perpetually spoken about as Emory’s biggest challenger. Before looking at the matchups, I thought this would be the most difficult match to predict of any of the quarterfinals. After further review (don’t get me started on the NBA refs), I think Midd matches up very well with this particular Wash U team, and D3Central appears to agree with me. Speaking of D3Central, that dude is just one vote behind D3AS in the blogger reveal race. With only about 24 hours left in that poll, this has the chance to be the upset of the year. Also, shame on you people for not voting for The Guru, we’re talking about the creator here, how is that not a bigger deal? Back to tennis, this matchup is a clash of two titan coaches at the helm of two historic programs, both looking make a second consecutive semifinal appearance. However, both teams have loftier goals than just a semifinal appearance. Will coach Follmer continue to defy expectations and make the Final Four for the 8th time in 9 years, or will coach Hansen continue to expand upon his legacy, and take the Panthers one step closer to a seemingly inevitable championship clash with Emory? Let the fun begin.  

#1 Dubs: Campbell/Derbani (Midd) vs. Kozlowski/Haugen (Wash U) –

NE: Both of these teams have been known for their doubles in years past, but only one of them has been playing good doubles recently. Campbell and Derbani are out to prove that their NCAA bid is not a fluke. Midd 8-4.

Central: I didn’t add anything to the introduction, but I personally think this entire match is going to be tough for the Bears. At the top dubs spot, Koz and Haugen are more than solid competitors, but Middlebury is flat out nasty at doubles with Hansen at the helm. I like Midd to take this match. Midd 8-5.

#2 Dubs: Farrell/Smolyar (Midd) vs. Wu/Cogan (Wash U) –

NE: There will be a bunch of good singles players on this court, but Wu’s grinding style is not nearly as effective when his target is only half the court. Farrell and Smolyar have excelled since being moved down to #2. Midd 8-5.

Central: Carswell and Cogan had reunited together on the doubles court which I thought was a good thing. Unfortunately, it didn’t last as Wu replaced Carswell for nationals. Wu’s game isn’t a big doubles style game and I think that will hurt this team. Farrell and Smolyar will just be way too much. Midd 8-3.

#3 Dubs: De Quant/Schlanger (Midd) vs. Kratky/Bush (Wash U) –

NE: A match that Wash U most likely has to win, and the Bears will probably be favorites to do so. Nothing against Midd’s #3 team, which has been very good all year, and this one  should be a battle, but Jeremy Bush playing #3 doubles should be a bit much. Wash U 9-7.

Central: When I first saw that Kratky and Bush were playing together, I expected them to be playing #1. Bush has two years at the top spot with Putterman. Unfortunately he misses Putt’s big kick serve and volleys. Kratky is no slouch though so I expect this duo to keep their winning ways and put the Bears on the board. Wash U 8-5.

#1 Singles: Farrell (Midd) vs. Carswell (Wash U) –

NE: Farrell avenged his only loss of the season last weekend against Skidmore and Kai Yuen Leung, and should be considered one of the two main favorites at NCAAs (along with Geier, probably just ahead of Mosetick and Butts). Carswell has had a better year, but a win over Farrell would be a huge shocker. Midd, 6-2, 6-2.  

Central: We are know Carswell has it in him to win tough matches, but it still has been a rough go around since his freshman year. Farrell has been a revelation this year and he will pose a big threat and take this one pretty easily. Midd wins 6-3, 6-1.

#2 Singles: Smolyar (Midd) vs. Wu (Wash U) –

NE: Both of these guys are really good #2’s. Both have NCAA experience, and both have often been relied upon by their team. Neither plays quickly, and I don’t believe this match will finish. However, if the Bears take a doubles lead, it’s a match that Wash U probably needs if they’re going to pull off the upset. Midd leads, 6-3, 4-6, 1-0.

Central: I will fully admit that I don’t have much knowledge of Smolyar’s game, but Wu is a big time grinder and while I expect Smolyar to win, I doubt this match will finish. Unfinished with Smolyar up a set.

#3 Singles: Campbell (Midd) vs. Kratky (Wash U) –

NE: I feel like Campbell clinches a lot of Midd’s team matches. I’m not going to look it up right now, but I just have that gut feeling that this battle of the seniors will be the clinching match. I hate picking against a senior in his last team match, but that will be the case for one of these excellent careers. Midd, 6-2, 6-4.

Central: Kratky’s senior year has had some bumps in it, but he has gotten solid results for the most part. He has a loss to Rose Hulman and then has an 0 and 1 win against 5 star freshman Charlie Pei. So needless to say the highs are great and the lows not so much. Campbell is one of the better 3s in the country and I think he will prevail here. Midd wins 7-5, 6-2.

#4 Singles: De Quant (Midd) vs. Haugen (Wash U) –

NE: While Haugen has been a nice addition to the Bears lineup of late, de Quant has not gotten nearly enough credit for another spectacular year. If this match comes down to the wire, I would put some money on De Quant to get a big 3rd set win, but I see this match as another unfinished. Wash U leads, 7-6, 2-5.

Central: I have been on the Haugen bandwagon since last year. His return has has been big for Wash U and while his initial few matches he knocked some rust off, I think he is back to 100%. I will not pick against him. Wash U 7-5, 6-4.

#5 Singles: Derbani (Midd) vs. Bush (Wash U) –

NE: Derbani tends to play quickly, so I think this match will need to go three sets for it to remain unfinished. Hamid has been the biggest pleasant surprise for Midd outside of Farrell’s dominance, but he’ll go up against a tough opponent here in Bush. I want to have faith in Hamid, but I’m afraid I’m going to leave this one unfinished as well. Wash U leads, 3-6, 6-4, 3-1.

Central: This is the match I really have a hard time picking. Bush started the season at #1 and then I am going to assume that he got hurt because he didn’t play for like 6 weeks. He has fallen all the way to #5 where you would think he would dominate. Unfortunately he has fallen to the top guys and I think Derbani will edge him out here. But Midd won’t need it as they will have clinched so I am picking this one as unfinished.

#6 Singles: Schlanger (Midd) vs. Klein (Wash U) –

NE: Schlanger has been a force this year, when he has gotten the opportunity. It appears he is entrenched in the lineup above Van der Geest, and the sophomore has NCAA experience. Schlanger was a part of the Midd team that made the Finals last year, and was up a big set on David Liu (Chicago) in last year’s semifinals. He should be favored here, Midd 6-3, 6-2.  

Central: All Schlanger has done this year is win tennis matches. He hasn’t always been in the lineup, but delivers when he is. I am still surprised to see Klein getting playing time over a few others and I think he will be out classed in this one. Midd wins 6-4, 6-2.

NE: Middlebury wins 5-1

Central: Middlebury wins 5-2