Well now that you all of you know our favorite shows, let’s talk about tennis. Wait, on a quick side note, as much as I do love Breaking Bad, I gotta admit that Survivor should really be at the top of my list. I would do many many things to be on Survivor, so I’ll use the DIII tennis fan base as a platform to get my interest across to you all! So…. if you like know a CBS producer or a Survivor employee, tell him or her how great of a writer I am and how good I am at covering DIII tennis… skills that will surely translate to surviving on a deserted island with 20 strangers for a million bucks. They can reach me at DIIIwesttennis@gmail.com (THIS IS NOT A JOKE)
Overview:
So, where were we? Redlands has been improving each and every year and I believe it starts with their doubles and the depth at the bottom of their singles lineup. There is a lot of promise for the Bulldogs this year since it seems like not only are they coming back with their patented doubles play with singles depth, but Chase Lipscomb was able to make huge strides this Fall. If Chase is able to replicate his play from this Fall ITA to the top of the lineup this Spring, Redlands can be a powerhouse of a team out West. Redlands is a scrappy team that is well-coached and committed to taking down rival pool-c teams. I’m definitely intrigued how they’ll fare at Indoors this February since they haven’t made the trip back East in quite some time. This tournament early in their season will be a major indication for how Redlands will perform and how they stack up against fellow top 10 teams for the rest of the season because my golly they play a lot of them!
Coach: Geoff Roche, 20th season
Location: Redlands, CA
Preseason Ranking: 11
Blog Power Ranking: 11
Key Additions: Cameron Krimbill (TRN 139, UTR 11.58), Noah Morrow (TRN 269, UTR 11.05
Key Losses: Parker Wilson (2/3 singles, 2/3 doubles), Tom Suchodolski (5/6 singles, 3 doubles), Jake Ly (3/4 singles, 1 doubles)
Lineup Analysis:
#1. Chase Lipscomb, Junior, UTR 12.22
Chase has been playing at the top of the lineup since his Freshman year and that is not going to change. He’s had mediocre results over the past two years at the top spot, but I believe Chase is a new player. His incredible run this Fall proves that Chase won’t be an easy out as he plays against the top guys in the country on a weekly basis. For Red
lands as whole, I believe this top spot is a major wildcard. I see
Chase as the hinge; If he is able to play like how he did this Fall and win a ton at #1, the Bulldogs will have a great chance of taking out some pool-c teams and making Nationals. If not, I believe they’ll stay stagnant as a top 10-13 team (no pressure Chase).
#2. Joey Dulle, Senior, UTR 11.77
Though Joey played mostly at the #3 spot last year, I see him moving up a spot and playing behind Lipscomb this year. He had a fair year last year and I see him having a 
little bit of trouble at #2. However, his fiery game along with his big serve and soft hands at the net, might be able to disrupt any opponent. The Senior will put it all out on the line this year and expect him to surprise the critics and score some big wins against top teams.
#3. Cameron Krimbill, Freshman, UTR 11.58
Big shoes to fill to say the least as Cameron’s brother was one of the most decorated DIII players in recent time. But, the younger bro has arrived! A MASSIVE win against Parodi, which propelled him to a quarterfinal run at the ITA, proved to us bloggers that this kid is the real deal. He’ll contribute big time at this spot and a be rock when it comes to the busy part of March. Freshman jitters could get the best of him in tight situations, but a win against Parodi is a huge statement and major indication of Cam’s talent and potential.
#4. Avery Davis, Sophomore, UTR 11.70
Avery had a very underrated year last year at #6. We can count his losses on one hand and he contributed greatly to the depth the Bulldogs had last year. With key departures in Wilson, Ly, and Suchodolski, Davis is going to the feel the effects the most as he’ll move up a couple spots. There is considerable jump in talent from #6 to #4, but Davis’s consistency and scrappy play will no doubt work against better players. I think he’ll have his hands full against the likes of CMS, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, and Wash U, but he definitely won’t be an easy out.
#5. Bryant Johnson, Junior, UTR 11.25
Bryant has the ability to do extremely well this season. He has a massive serve and forehand, but sometimes he gets too erratic for his own good. He’ll have to stay focused upstairs as at times, his biggest liability is his lack of focus in the big moments. However, he is a very talented player with the potential to make some serious noise at the bottom of the lineup.
#6. Bradley Cummins, Sophomore, UTR 11.52
Bradley is a grinddd of a player, which is why I think he’ll get the nod to play #6. He is a fantastic doubles player and did extremely well with Chase last year at #2. He’s quick, consistent, and gets fired up, which will do him a lot of good at his position. If Bradley is able to be a lock at #6, the Bulldogs can expect some winning results this season.
Schedule Analysis:
The Dogs are busssssyyyyy this Spring. Coach Roche giving his players very little time to do college things (you know like studying, going to the library, office hours, etc…). They start with a trip up to the Pacific Northwest where they’ll have two huge matches against Whitman and Trinity (TX), each of which will have significant effects on their regional ranking. The Bulldogs may have the better team on paper, but by no means are these routine matches, as they’ll have to travel and play outside of their comfort zone in Walla Walla. If this trip to Whitman wasn’t enough for the Dogs, a couple weeks later, they’ll head out to Indoors in Minnesota where they’ll have three brutal matches against perennial top 10 teams. Starting with Wash U., they’ll have to come out firing and leave their nerves at the door. In my opinion, their match against Wash U. is the biggest match of the season for the Dogs yet, as it will set a precedent for their season going forward. The Dogs have Whitman, Trinity (TX), Wash U. +2 more great teams in a span of 2 weeks in 2 different time zones indoors! Definitely a challenging schedule and looking forward to how they’ll fare with the adversity.
March rolls around and Redlands has Mary Washington, Pomona-Pitzer (HUGE match here for SCIAC conversation), Wesleyan, Bowdoin, and Williams. For pool-c implications, Redlands must pull out a few wins against such teams. If they are able to pull out wins against Wesleyan/Bowdoin or Bowdoin/Williams, they’ll have a great argument to take one of the coveted pool-c spots. Like I said in my preview about the Dogs, their success relies heavily on their ability to beat fellow pool-c teams… the month of March puts this theory to the test.
Doubles Analysis:
For da boyzzzz. Redlands can play some fantastic doubles. Their AC, Nick Tong, knew his way around the doubles court when he played for Skid and he has absolutely been helping the doubles pull out much needed wins. Unfortunately, the obvious #1 team of the last couple years in Dulle/Ly is in the past. If Dulle, a great doubles player with size, soft hands, and a big serve, can get matched with a quality doubles 
player (I’m thinking Johnson or Krimbill), that could be a solid #1 doubles team. I believe Lipscomb/Cummins will remain at #2 where they had a lot of success last year. With Chase’s big serve and massive forehand, he is able to set up Cummins at the net for the easy put away. A tough team here and a team that is capable of putting a point on the board most of the time. At 3 dubs, I see a combination of Krimbill, Johnson, and Davis holding down the fort. Obviously all great singles players, but I believe Johnson has had the most success on the doubles court so far. His serve and fiery play brings a lot to the doubles court and him at #3 would be a great move by Roche, regardless of his partner. Redlands, shown above, has a stack of a schedule and if they want to throw down with some of the best, it is absolutely critical that they go into singles with a lead. Doubles will be huge for the Dogs this year and we all know they are capable of playing inspiring tennis.
Key Matches:
Redlands vs. Whitman and Redlands vs. Trinity(TX)
I’ll link these two together as they’ll both be played within 24 hours up in Walla Walla. These are massive matches for the Dogs and a true test for where they stand as a team. It’ll be tough for them as well to adjust to the indoor courts and Redlands hopes that this adjustment won’t affect their play too much against two solid teams.
Redlands vs. Wash U.
This match, which is the first round at Indoors, is another big match for the Dogs. First round jitters at Indoors is normal and can affect play and usually, California teams making the trek back east for such a tournament have had very limited success. Redlands is going to have a tough time in this tournament, but a win against Wash U. in the first round will make the trip an immediate success.
Redlands vs. Pomona-Pitzer
Two rivals going at it, not only is this a conference match, but has major implications for pool-c talk. These two teams will most likely play each other twice (regular season and SCIACS) and we know each will be a “dog” fight with some yelling, screaming, crying, bleeding, sweating… should I go on? Naw.
Redlands vs. Williams
Williams looked like one of the best teams this past Fall. As a result, I think Williams will come out guns blazing this Spring and immediately make an impact with good results. If Williams is able to beat a majority of teams, Redlands beating the Ephs would give them an onslaught of indirect wins against such teams. I’m making a couple of assumptions that Williams would bring their A game this Spring, but I believe this match could determine who gets the final spots when it comes to pool-c talk.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I think Redlands has a lot to look forward to. They may have lost a few seniors who brought a lot of great results to the team, however, a combination of Chase winning the West ITA, Krimbill making a run as a freshman, and seasoned doubles players still on the squad, the Bulldogs are definitely stronger than previous years. Don’t get me wrong, the Dogs have a brutal schedule ahead of them and I hope they’re Indoor campaign doesn’t ruin their national chances. But there is a lot to look forward to with this team and I think they can make some serious noise on a regional and national level. Do it for the boyz, men.