NESCAC Quarterfinal Preview(s)

Happy NESCACs Eve, boys and girls. There has been a lot of chatter about Tufts being left out of NESCACs and I, along with some of the other writers, have made our feelings clear on the issue, but it’s time to look ahead to the tournament itself! We have two rivalry quarterfinals ahead of us, which should be exciting to anybody out there who’s a sports fan, let alone a DIII tennis fan. These teams historically don’t like each other, but there is a certain level of respect between players. In fact, my guess is that fans of these teams like each other less than the actual players. In addition to the historic rivalries, both matches have significant Pool-C implications, with both Williams and Bowdoin needing wins to make themselves more comfortable come Selection Monday. One final thing to note, the forecast says rain not only for tomorrow, but possibly all weekend long in Williamstown. There is even a chance that one of the matches could get moved to another facility in order to get through all four matches tomorrow. Keep that in mind as we get down to the match-by-match predictions.

#5 Amherst (No 3 seed) @ #9 Williams (No. 6 seed)

INTRO: These two teams played fewer than six days ago, with Amherst sweeping dubs and taking a routine 7-2 win. That match was played at Amherst’s indoor facility (which is really Hampshire’s), but this match will likely be played at Williams’ indoor facility. We’re about to see just how much difference indoor home court advantage makes! The two indoor courts both play pretty fast, but are also nothing ridiculous. However, there are only four indoor courts, which mean that a doubles lead is even more important for the psyche of the players.

#1 doubles: Bessette/Fung vs Grodecki/Taylor. Bessette/Fung won this matchup last weekend, so it’s tough to go against them here, but that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m expecting more drama than last time, and this is a match that Williams can win. Ephs, 8-5.

#2 doubles: Burney/Marchalik vs Shastri/Sadowski. Similarly, this should be another close match. I like the senior Shastri to have a big day at home in what he’s hoping is not the final match of his career. Ephs, 8-6.

#3 doubles: Kaplan/Arnaboldi vs Lebowitz/S. Raghavan. No reverse sweep, although I wonder how long it’s been since we’ve seen something like that happen so quickly. Herst is too strong at the bottom, and their undefeated #3 doubles team stays that way. Herst, 8-4.

#1 singles: Bessette (12.22) vs Shastri (11.90). I said in the doubles that I expect Shastri to have a good day on Friday. However, Bessette has been one of the better players in the region this spring, and it would take a monumental effort from the senior to take him down. Close, but no cigar. Amherst, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

#2 singles: Marchalik (12.62) vs Grodecki (12.99). A match Williams won last time and probably one they will need to win again. Grodecki has the highest UTR of anybody playing in this match, and I think he shows why. Williams, 6-2, 7-6(4).

#3 singles: Owens (12.53)/Fung (12.39) vs S. Raghavan (12.21). Another match that Williams won last time. The Mammoths have been switching this around, and it wouldnt surprise me to see Fung up here given that he only beat Indrakanti in a super last time while Owens fell to Raghavan. Sachin has been one of the Ephs’ best all year, and I think he gets it done here too. Williams, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

#4 singles: Fung (12.39)/Owens (12.53) vs Indrakanti (12.19). Indrakanti took Fung to a superbreaker last weekend, and now has the benefit of playing at home. Deepak might need to bring this match home, but I think that whomever he plays will have a slight advantage here. Amherst, 7-6 (4), 7-6(2).

#5 singles: Levitin (12.15) vs Taylor(12.23)/A. Raghavan (11.89). Taylor didn’t play singles last week. If that was for injury, then I have no idea whether or not he will be playing tomorrow. If not, then my guess is he gets put back into the lineup because his game is well-suited for indoor tennis and he’ll be playing on his own courts this time around. You’d think Williams would be able to turn one of their two super-breaker losses on the road into a win. Welp…Amherst, 7-5, 6-2.

#6 singles: Kaplan (11.99) vs A. Raghavan (11.89)/Lebowitz (11.63). Indoors at Williams may be a different story, but Kaplan has been damn impressive so far this spring. Amherst, 6-3, 6-3.

Overall Prediction: Closer than last time, but Amherst still finds a way to win and put Williams through the selection ringer. Amherst def. Williams 5-4, even though they’re only playing to decision. Using 4 courts means we could still see some epic finishes.

#8 Bowdoin (No. 4 seed) vs #17 Bates (#5 seed)

INTRO: Bates beat Bowdoin 7-2 about 10 days ago, which is what spurred this whole selection controversy in the first place. Like the Amherst/Williams match, the previous match took place on the winner’s home indoor courts. While Bowdoin does not have the home court advantage this time, my guess is their players are just about as happy as the Williams guys that they are switching venues. If Bowdoin loses to Bates again, there is a chance, really for the first time all year, that the defending champs could miss NCAAs.

#1 doubles: Tercek/Urken vs Rosen/Ellis.The Bowdoin top team has been struggling, but that powerful a team can turn things around in a flash. Bates is probably favored at this spot, and it’s also a spot they probably need to win if they’re going to win the match. They get it done, Bates, 8-5.

#2 doubles: Jiang/Wolfe vs Ordway/Schwartz. This Bowdoin team has also been struggling recently, while the Bates #2 team has been up and down. Bates needs a lead after doubles if they are going to take this one, and just for kicks and giggles let’s give it to them. Bates, 8-6.

#3 doubles: Roddy/Patel vs Quijano/Leiner. Even with two losses in their past three matches, this has been Bowdoin’s most successful team this spring. Bates’ #3 team have been good as well, but I’m thinking this is the match that gets reversed from last week. Bowdoin, 8-5. 

#1 singles: Tercek (12.20) vs Rosen (12.95). Rosen absolutely rolled Tercek at Bates, feeding him a couple of breadsticks. My guess is this one will be slightly closer, but Rosen is playing very well right now and Bates is relying on its ace to bring home two points per match. Bates, 6-2, 6-4.

#2 singles: Urken (13.15) vs Ellis (11.94). Ellis notched the best win of his year when he beat Urken last time. He is somebody that feeds off the high energy situation, while Urken remains at a more consistent level. Urken’s loss to Ellis was his 1st in conference, which makes it seem more like an aberration than something that constitute a pattern. Ellis has the senior motivation and the confidence, but I think Urken returns the favor. Bowdoin, 6-3, 6-3.

#3 singles: Wolfe (12.43) vs Quijano (11.42). Wolfe actually led this match 10 days ago, up a set and at 5-5 in the 2nd set, when he retired. Quijano has played a lot of guys close this year, but lacks a big win (excluding Wolfe’s retirement). We’ve seen Kyle come up clutch time and time again. Bowdoin, 6-4, 6-3.

#4 singles: Jiang (11.98) vs Schwartz (11.52). I’m not entirely sure this is going to be the matchup, as Bowdoin had Roddy play #4 last match (though that was by pulling Jiang entirely for singles). Jiang has not had nearly as productive a sophomore campaign as he did last year. This is a big swing singles match, in my opinion, this would be an unfinished match outdoors. However, I’ll take Jerry-world. Bowdoin, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.

#5 singles: Roddy (12.92) vs Ordway (11.74). Ordway beat Carstens last week, but will have a tougher matchup tomorrow. Ordway has beaten Roddy in the past, and I expect this one to be close as well, but ultimately I’m going with the UTR edge. Bowdoin leads, 7-6, 3-6, 3-2.

#6 singles: Carstens (11.88) vs Kauppila (11.59)/Glover (11.62)/Feldman (11.24). Here’s where things get a bit dodgy. Carstens will be playing 6 for Bowdoin, barring some late injury, and my guess is that Bates sticks with their freshman Kauppila here. But Kauppila lost to Patel last week, and it would not be all that shocking to see a quick switch. If so, Glover, another freshman, might be the guy, but don’t forget about Feldman. The senior has plenty of match experience and the possibility of the end of a career is a fantastic motivator. If Feldman does get the opportunity, I wouldn’t bet against him. However, I’m thinking we’ll see Kauppila again, and I’ll take Bowdoin in that matchup. Bowdoin, 7-5,6-3.

Overall Prediction: Bowdoin punches their Pool-C bid, and exacts revenge on Bates in a 5-3 win.

That’s all for the quarterfinal preview. I’ll be back tomorrow night to bring you a quick recap and something similar for Saturday’s semifinals. Check back tomorrow for more conference previews and hopefully a couple more schools added to the Recruiting Hub!