NewRegional: As Indoors hype continues and you all are crunching the numbers to create the best DRAFT KINGS team, we head out to Claremont for an important mid-week tilt between #21 Brandeis and #12 Pomona-Pitzer. This match was an instant classic last year, with Deis taking control early with a doubles sweep, before Pomona roared back, eventually taking 5 out of 6 singles matches and the 5-4 victory. We saw Brandeis in action yesterday, sweeping a talented Caltech team in doubles before pulling out two singles matches for the 5-4 win. This is Pomona’s first big test of the spring, and there are POOL C IMPLICATIONS for both teams here. If either Brandeis or Pomona is going to out-touch some combo of Bowdoin/Williams/Amherst/Wesleyan/CMU/Wash U for the last Pool C spot, it’s going to have to start with this match.
DIIIWest: If we look at Indoors as the Christmas of DIII tennis, then we got a very special Christmas Eve for you all. A Deis/PP match is one that will surely bring the drama, flare, and intensity we all have grown to love about DIII tennis. This match will no doubt and absolutely come down to the wire. In last year’s matchup, the Hens played some uninspiring doubles with Deis taking a 3-0 lead heading into singles. However, the depth the Hens possess throughout the singles lineup propelled them to a 5-4 comeback win, with none other than Jed providing the third set clincher at 4-4. Below, you’ll see I predict a similar scenario as last year, with Deis coming out firing in doubles (similar to yesterday against Tech), but the Hens slowly crawling back on the singles court. Frankly, the Hens should sweep in singles, but an 0-3 deficit always makes it tough to play the game you envision. If the Hens win one doubles match, the Hens should have no trouble pulling out the win, but Deis can play some doubles ladies and gentlemen. It’ll come down to the singles in this one.
#21 Brandeis @ #12 Pomona-Pitzer, Tuesday @ 4:00 p.m.
#1 doubles- Coramultla/Aizenberg (Brandeis) vs. Bellet/J. Gearou (PP)
NewRegional: Coramutla and Aizenberg had a few ups and downs against Shanker/Wei yesterday, but were still able to come up with the clutch shots to take out one of the top doubles teams in the country. I don’t see them suffering a letdown here. Deis: 8-5
DIIIWest: I see the same trend happening again this year and that is a Deis sweep. Not that PP plays bad doubles (though it definitely isn’t their strong suit), but Deis continues to have seasoned doubles teams year in and year out. Their match against Tech yesterday proved that point once again. I think this first doubles team of Coramultla/Aizenberg (who by the way beat a very good Tech doubles team yesterday) will simply overpower the Hen duo. Deis: 8-4
#2 doubles- Tzeng/Chen (Brandeis) vs. Kronenberg/Comadena(PP)
NewRegional: Tzeng and Chen didn’t play together this fall, but both freshmen (Tzeng in particular) know their way around the doubles court. I think this is the best matchup for Pomona, and Kronenberg flexes as the best player on the court. PP: 9-8(3)
DIIIWest: This will be the closest match of the three, I’ll agree with NewRegional on this one. However, I do think at the end of the day that Tzeng/Chen are the better doubles team and because of that I see them squeaking by with a win.Deis: 8-6
#3 doubles- Vohra/Ng (Brandeis) vs. Stark/Bicks (PP)
NewRegional: Ng has been a quintessential utility player for Brandeis over the past four years, playing all of the singles and doubles lineup. Ng’s backhand and net game is as good as it gets at #3 doubles, and they Deis heads into singles up 2-1. Deis: 8-4
DIIIWest: Ng has some serious doubles skills and frankly can be seen as one of the better 3 doubles players in the country. This will be Stark’s first true match in the lineup and despite a Bicks big serve, I think the Vohra/Ng duo will pull out this win rather comfortably. Deis: 8-4
#1 singles- David Aizenberg (Brandeis) vs. Jed Kronenberg (PP)
NewRegional: Arguably Deis’ most vulnerable spot against Pomona’s best spot. Nothing against Aizenberg, but Kronenberg is one of the best players in the country. PP: 6-2, 6-3
DIIIWest: I’ll say it again… arguably Deis’s most vulnerable spot against Pomona’s best spot. Preach. Kronenberg will have no trouble in this one – a good warm up for the sophomore ahead of Indoors. PP: 6-1, 6-3
#2 singles- Anupreeth Coramutla (Brandeis) vs. Josh Gearou (PP)
NewRegional: Swing match here. I was a little surprised to see Coramutla up at #2 against Caltech, where he fell in two close sets to James Wei. Gearou has a tricky game and runs everything down, but I don’t think it will be frustrating enough. Deis: 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
DIIIWest: A close loss against Wei of Tech shows me that Gearou might have the edge in this one. Not much to go off of here, but I see Gearou “Gearou’ing” his way to the finish line. Two close sets in this one that will finish deep into the night. PP: 7-5, 7-5
#3 singles- Nikhil Das (Brandeis) vs. Octave Bellet (PP)
NewRegional: Bellet has a big game, and when he’s on, he has the ability to be one of the top #3’s in the country, but he also has a tendency to check out and play uninspiring tennis at times. Das has a really solid game and always seems to stick around in all his matches, but I think Bellet scores a much needed win for the Hens here. PP: 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
DIIIWest: When Bellet is one, man he is an amazing 3. I think this will be match he shows up for and to be completely honest, will just be a better player than Das all around. Against a solid Asuza Pacific team, it was Bellet that came out with the lone singles win – a great sign for the Hens as he can be one of the better 3’s in the country. PP: 6-2, 6-3
#4 singles- Adam Tzeng (Brandeis) vs. Sam Gearou (PP)
NewRegional: Battle of the lefties! Gearou has incredible speed and hands while Tzeng can rip off both wings and loves to finish at the net. Tzeng stumbled against Miha Valencic yesterday, and I have to back the senior. PP: 4-6, 6-1, 6-3
DIIIWest: This will be a tough test for the lefty Gearou as Tzeng plays a very similar game style as the Hen. It is Gearou that prefers to dictate and finish off points at the net, but if Tzeng is able to take control of the center of the court first and find his way to the net, this could spell trouble for the senior Gearou. However, I do think the home crowd, along with it being a needed win in singles for match score purposes, will help Sam propel to the finish line. PP: 6-4, 7-6
#5 singles- Jeff Chen (Brandeis) vs. Jansen Comadena (PP)
NewRegional: Freshman vs. freshman. I really don’t know much about Jansen, so hopefully West can help me out here. Chen came out hot against Caltech, so I’m gonna ride the hot hand. Deis: 6-4, 6-4
DIIIWest: Big swing match here and each’s first big pressure match of their career. Those who hold their nerves better will come out ahead, but I do think the familiarity of the home court arena for Comadena will help a ton. I see this match coming down to the wire, with the Hen finding the finish line.
#6 singles- Rajan Vohra (Brandeis) vs. Quinn Hirsohn (PP)
NewRegional: Vohra was very steady last year, which makes his loss to Nguyen of Caltech after taking the first set a little puzzling. I think the sophomore is going to find his rhythm early and right the ship. Deis: 6-4, 6-4
DIIIWest: A pure battle of attrition out here with Vohra coming off a puzzling loss to Nguyen last night while Hirsohn will battle nerves knowing the revolving door is in full effect this year. Hirsohn has been known to play tight in these nervy matches and with a lot on the line and frankly a match he should win, I see this one leaning Deis’s way. Vohra will refuse to have another loss on his resume in this CA swing. Deis: 6-3, 7-5
Predictions
NewRegional: Brandeis def. PP 5-4. HYPE TRAIN IS ROLLING
DIIIWest: PP def Brandeis 5-4 (Same 0-3 comeback win as last year)