Indoors FINALS Preview + Quick Day 2 Recap

It is I, Atlantic South, back from a 1-day absence at the most important time of the year so far. What gives, ASouth? I don’t know. I totally missed the boat on yesterday’s preview but that just means I have to come back that much stronger for tomorrow’s finals and semifinals preview, as well as a short Day 2 Recap for the readers. If Midwest can’t make it, I’m more than capable at posting this myself but we shall see if he can. I was the owner of the best semifinals match today and man, was I pumped. But we’ll get to the Day 2 Recap tomorrow.  Let’s get to the match preview for the finals first.

Finals: #1 Emory vs. #3 Chicago

This is the final that everyone was expecting and everyone now has. It’s not surprising, but Chicago steamrolled through their half of the draw. Emory, meanwhile, has had a bit of a tougher go of things.  Either way, this is going to be a really tight match.  I think there are only two likely scenarios here – either Chicago comes out on fire and takes the match early, or the match is a bloodbath and one of the teams grits it out for the last match, probably Emory.  It’s a classic case of me feeling confident about one team but less confident as the match gets closer.  Emory can grit this one out with their experience and their fire, Chicago can take their confidence from the past two matches and blitz Emory.  It’s gonna be a good one!  I’ll do a

match by match preview and then provide my thoughts after.

First, this –

Emory raised their level when things got close. They will need to do that a lot tomorrow morning.

— Division 3 Tennis (@d3tennis) February 25, 2017

#1 Doubles: Rubinstein/Spaulding (EU) vs. Kerrigan/Kumar (CHI)

Emory has had a rough go of it at the #1 doubles spot with their somewhat makeshift team of Rubinstein/Spaulding.  Meanwhile, Kerrigan/Kumar have been lights out at the #1 spot ever since the fall.  I think this one is a no-brainer for Chicago as Emory gets sent back to the drawing board with their lineup pairings after Indoors.  Chicago, 8-4

#2 Doubles: Bouchet/Renke (EU) vs. Raclin/Hawkins (CHI)

This is the first of many swing matches in the overall match and it features a ton of guys who don’t have doubles experience prior to this year.  Hawkins is the only veteran in this match and that could make a big difference come clutch time.  Bouchet/Renke faced a tough loss today against a solid Chen/Zheng team from CMU, but so did Raclin/Hawkins against Wash U. This is going to down to the wire and since I like Chicago overall, I’m going to go with them.  Chicago, 9-8 (5)

#3 Doubles: Jemison/Omsky (EU) vs. Bethke/Pei (CHI)

The #1 overall team in the country is playing at #3… and they lost in the first round against Trinity! I think Jemison/Omsky may have came into this tournament a bit overconfident and got a huge wake up call the first day against TU.  Bethke/Pei are what you call a very, very solid team but in this match, I think Jemison proves why he’s the top ranked player in Draftkings. Emory, 8-6

#1 Singles: Manji (EU) vs. Liu (CHI)

This is a marquee matchup right here. Manji suffered a shocking and tough loss today to Daniel Levine in 3 sets, but Manji is one of the most fit guys out there and he’ll be fresh coming into tomorrow’s final. Liu has been flawless so far this tournament, but honestly I don’t think he’s played that good competition so far (Paolucci and Wu).  Manji comes out strong here after a tough loss this afternoon.  Emory, 7-5, 6-2

#2 Singles: Jemison (EU) vs. Chua (CHI)

The Emory top 3 is the best 1-3 punch in the nation in my eyes. Jemison took out Rozenvasser today in a split and bagel in the third. He’s one of the most fit guys in the nation as well and he should be fine for tomorrow.  On the other hand, Nick Chua split today as well against Jason Haugen. Chua has a ton of experience and this match is going to be close no matter what, but I think Jemison is just too consistent here and takes the match.  Emory, 6-4, 6-4

#3 Singles: Bouchet (EU) vs. Pei (CHI)

Another swing match here and this is one that both teams need.  Bouchet has been playing lights out tennis, of course, and he really hasn’t lost too many matches in his career.  Actually, he hasn’t.  But neither has Charlie Pei.  Pei did take a loss in a super breaker today against John Carswell, who jumps around the lineup like no one I’ve ever seen before. I really don’t want to go with Emory here since I don’t believe that teams can sweep each other in the top 3 singles spots, but I almost have to.  Bouchet is playing too well for that.  Emory, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3

#4 Singles: Spaulding (EU) vs. Tsai (CHI)

Spaulding surprised me today by easily taking out Chaz Downing, who projects to be one of the better #3/#4 guys in the country. However, Spaulding is no Luke Tsai, who currently sports the highest UTR of any player in this match at above 13.  Tsai has trained his way into being a mainstay in the Chicago lineup and is as close to a lock you’ll get at #4 singles.  Spaulding is good, but he’s unproven and I like Tsai way too much here.  Chicago, 6-4, 6-3

#5 Singles: Josepher (EU) vs. Kerrigan (CHI)

This is where the Maroons have to start strutting their stuff.  Chicago is the deeper team here and Kerrigan is going to have a lot of pressure on him for them to take home the trophy.  He struggled in his first match but found his groove in the second, beating Bernardo Neves easily today.  If Kerrigan can play like he did today, this match should be easier considering Josepher is coming off a three setter vs Mark Prettyman.  I don’t have faith in Josepher on this stage yet – I do have faith in talent, however.  Chicago 6-2, 6-4

#6 Singles: Goodman (EU) vs. Kumar (CHI)

Chicago pulled Jaird Meyer after his loss in the first round to Pomona and inserted Kumar into the lineup.  This proved to be a good decision for Coach Tee and something that I called out prior to the tournament as a potential X Factor.  I think Tee goes with Kumar here after his solid performance.  In fact, there may or may not be a switch on the Emory side to get Shepherd a shot, especially if Goodman loses today (they are still playing as I type).  Goodman’s senior experience could help, but this might just have to be a gut call.  Either way, Chicago has the edge with whoever they put out there.  Chicago, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to clinch!

And there you have it.  Overall, I’m picking Chicago as your National Indoors Champions and it hurts me to say it because the Eagles are of course one of my regional teams.  This one can go either way really.  Chicago has the opportunity to doubles sweep the Eagles, but I doubt they let that happen tomorrow. This is a big match and I’m sure that we’ll see these two square off again at some point during the season.  I could absolutely see both teams winning this and we’ll get the joy of seeing what hopes to be a classic against these two great teams.

Predictions!

Guru: Chicago 5-4

AVZ: Emory 5-4

NE: Chicago 5-4

NEC: Chicago 5-4

Midwest: Emory 5-4

West: Chicago 5-4

#2 Wash U vs. #4 CMU

Boy, did CMU put on a show today. In a match where I don’t think anyone gave them a chance, CMU re-inserted Michael Rozenvasser into the lineup to spice things up and move everyone down.  This will be the second time other than today that CMU would seem to have a full lineup. I have been extremely impressed with CMU so far this tournament but in my experience, that impression sometimes fizzles out on a bad last day.  The Guru hit me with a stat earlier – CMU has actually never won 2 matches at Indoors in their history. Mind blowing.  Wash U, on the other hand, has the right team to take the Tartans out tomorrow.  I’ll show you in the Match by Match.

#1 Doubles: Haugen/Kozlowski (WU) vs. Levine/Arora (CMU)

This one might be a match that CMU has to have.  Levine and Arora are so on and off, that it’s hard to predict which team is going to come out everyday.  This really relies on Arora’s play as he played terribly the first match and played very well today.  Levine is a rock that cannot be broken.  Haugen/Koczlowski are one of the most fundamentally sound #1 teams out there, so I give them the advantage at first.  If CMU is to win this match, they need #1 doubles.  That means they need Levine/Arora to be the good version of themselves.  This is a tossup depending on who shows up.  I don’t go against history, so I go with Wash U 9-7

#2 Doubles: Bush/Kroot (WU) vs. Chen/Zheng (CMU)

It’s hard luck for the Tartans that their best performing team will be going up against Wash U’s best performing team as well.  Bush/Kroot bring the confidence that is needed in doubles and are also both doubles specialists. Both these teams are extremely fundamental and do all the right things with the ball.  I just think that Bush/Kroot can do more with it and they’ll come up with some stellar shots to put them just ahead.  Wash U 8-6

#3 Doubles: Neves/Wu (WU) vs. Downing/Calzolano (CMU)?

Honestly, if I’m Coach Girard I’m throwing Rozenvasser with Downing and hoping those two can scratch out a win. The CMU #3 team has been a disaster this tournament and they really really need to find something that works down here.  Wash U has two talented singles players playing here but they are a beatable team.  In the end, I think the talent still wins this, and Wash U finishes the doubles portion of the match with a straight sweep.  Wash U, 8-5

#1 Singles: Wu (WU) vs. Levine (CMU)

Hats off to Daniel Levine today, beating the #1 player in the nation by coming back to win two sets. Great work and this is the second year in a row I’ve been impressed with his indoors play. He just put up 5 Draftkings points on Emory. Levine is riding the fire right now with two strong wins in Fojtasek and Manji, and I think Wu’s game fits right into his playing style.  CMU starts the comeback here with a quick win from the on fire sophomore.  CMU, 6-3, 6-3

#2 Singles: Haugen (WU) vs. Rozenvasser (CMU)

Injuries no more.  Rozenvasser came out today with a really impressive effort after taking the last two weeks presumably off by taking the first set off Jemison.  He then ended up running out of steam and losing in the third 6-0. He doesn’t get a break tomorrow, however, as he plays the absolute rock Jason Haugen who has been playing like a top 2 in the nation.  This all depends on how Rozenvasser is feeling because at his best he should take this match.  Unfortunately, I don’t think he’s at his best right now. Wash U, 7-6, 6-3

#3 Singles: Carswell (WU) vs. Zheng (CMU)

Carswell will be one of the best #3 singles players in the nation this year and that is bad news for Kenny Zheng.  Zheng’s had to play Rajupet, Bouchet, and Carswell this tournament.  What competition.  I think Zheng was outclasses today by Bouchet unfortunately.  He can absolutely win this match against Carswell but he will need to be smart and play within himself.  Carswell can be beat if he goes on a bad run – it’s up to Zheng to continue that when it starts.  Give me Zheng in an upset for fun.  CMU, 4-6, 6-3, 10-5

#4 Singles: Vishnubolta (WU) vs. Downing (CMU)

Welcome to the big leagues Vishnubolta.  Luke Tsai made a mess of Vishnu today and it’s going to be tough to come back from that.  Downing also took one to the chin in a loss to Spaulding that had me really surprised.  Both players will be looking to notch a tough one for their team here and this almost has to go three sets.  Vishnubolta was a popular pick in Draftkings but I think Downing is the better player here.  CMU 6-2, 4-6, 7-5

#5 Singles: Neves (WU) vs. Prettyman (CMU)

Prettyman has actually been a revelation for me this tournament as he took out Stroup (Case) with ease and choked away a first set against Josepher today before bringing it to a third.  I think he also ran out of steam in the third set and the jitters probably got the best of him.  I think Neves is going to be the best player he faces this tournament and I wouldn’t be surprised if Neves comes out with fresh legs and on fire.  I think Prettyman will be gassed from today and it might behoove the Tartans to potentially pull him.  Wash U 6-2, 6-2

#6 Singles: Engel (WU) vs. Wadwani (CMU)

CMU pulled Arora today when it was announced that Rozenvasser was back and it worked in their favor.  Wadwani is a gritty player who took out Goodman today to build his confidence. This will be a grind if Wadwani is playing again and unfortunately I didn’t get to watch Engel play at all so far this tournament.  Judging by the experience of the two players, I like Wadwani, and I think the match will be over by the time these two get deep into the second set.  Let’s do CMU 6-4, 1-6, 10-4.

All in, I have Wash U winning 5-4 on the power of a doubles sweep and holding on for dear life in singles. If both these teams were at full strength I’d probably go with my regional team to win, but I just can’t after they took a tough loss against Emory where I’m sure they had the taste in their mouths. Wash U does this for a living and until CMU gets over that hump, I have to go with the Bears and their consistent approach.  Oh, and this too.

CMU has never beaten Wash U. This looks like it's a good opportunity for that to happen

— Division 3 Tennis (@d3tennis) February 25, 2017

Predictions!

Guru: Wash U 5-4

AVZ: Wash U 6-3

NE: Wash U 6-3

NEC: Wash U 5-4

Midwest: Wash U 5-4

West: CMU 5-4

Day 2 Recap

I will absolutely give this the time it deserves when I get to eventual Indoors recaps, but I wanted to do some quick thoughts here because I missed yesterday’s preview/recap due to unforeseen circumstances.  Today’s Emory/CMU match was incredible.  There were a few times where I thought CMU had the potential to take the match straight up.  I think the lesson to be learned here is – don’t let Emory off the hook when you have them reeling.  Mark Prettyman did just that when he blew the 5-2 lead to Josepher in the first.  He took the second set easily 6-2, but my feeling was that he may have cruised had he won that first one.  Live and learn, freshman.  Also, the invincibility of Emory’s doubles has gone away quicker than a Snapchat message. This marks the second day in a row that they went down 2-1 in doubles, this time to a team that went down 2-1 to Case!  Levine/Arora showed up today, but Emory has it’s toughest challenge yet tomorrow and they need to figure doubles out.

From a Chicago/Wash U perspective, it was all Chicago.  I didn’t think this match was gonna be close going in and that’s more a testament to what Chicago does than Wash U honestly.  Chicago is the team to beat right now because it looks like they finally have a doubles lineup that doesn’t have holes.  Chicago has impressed me the most by far this tournament and I will recap that when it’s all said and done.  They are now where they need to be and really, the finals is all that matters to them.  We know they are a top 3 team.  Are they #1 though? Tomorrow will be a nice test to find out.

In the back draw, I’m writing this match as the 5th and 7th place matches happen.  Both matches today finished 5-4, which was a really nice early Saturday morning surprise.  Both matches came down to 6 singles, which makes it even better.  Too bad there weren’t any third set tiebreakers. Case Western showed me why they are Case Western, gritting out a win against Trinity TX at 8AM after a tough loss to a bitter rival.  They will hang around all season and I wouldn’t be surprised if they beat Pomona as we speak, because that is what Case does.  Stop underestimating them, because they went 5-4 with a team that just took Emory to 5-4. Yes, CMU was missing Rozenvasser, but still.  Case is on the map as they should be.

For Trinity, I think you come out of this tournament knowing that you have some work to do.  The top of the TU lineup is a bit weak and they need to figure out what’s going on at #6 singles too.  Either way, this team always fights to the bitter end as well and they are rewarded with what should be an easy one against Kenyon.  Speaking of Kenyon, they mustered more of a fight today than yesterday, but they fell short.  I don’t expect them to beat Trinity and they will be going back to the drawing board once again.  

I honestly don’t have many thoughts on Pomona right now other than the fact that they gritted out a win against Kenyon, which is not necessarily an easy task.  I was surprised by the performance especially since Diehl was out and I thought that the Sagehens should have made this one quicker.  By the way, Austin Diehl of Kenyon was pegged in the eye during team warmups and had to be brought to the hospital.  Best of luck to you Austin and we hope to see you on the court very soon.  Big blow to Kenyon there if he misses extended time.

Conculsion

I’ll see everyone tomorrow for the finals and third place matches. Begins tomorrow at 8AM, so don’t go out too hard tonight. I won’t be. Best of luck to all the teams and it really has been a great Indoors so far.  I’m pumped for tomorrow, go Emory and go CMU! ASouth, OUT.

By the way, just to finish this off – Middlebury tweeted this tweet earlier today and I really loved it. Gotta love seeing the DIII Tennis community making a difference on a nationwide scale in things outside of tennis. This prompted our very own AVZ to write an article – this week or next, Van Zee’s Vault will feature some of the DIII Tennis Alumni that have been making a difference in their next lives.  If you know someone from the DIII community who is making a difference, please have them contact us.  We’d like to feature them along with other difference makers in an article that gives them more publicity and more of a forum to show the community what they’ve done. We’ll also ask for a quote or two as well! Thank you all for keeping this world great 🙂