Northeast and Central Regional Rundown with D3RegionalNEC

When Bloggers feud, you win. That’s basically what’s happening right now as ASouth and I try to one-up each other with #content, even as tension continues to build between us. Behind the scenes (and increasingly on Twitter) it’s getting ugly, but the bulletin board material we are providing for each other is keeping the Blog going. The looming question, however: will we be able to put aside our differences and reach across the aisle for the upcoming UAA WEEK? We shall see, but for now it’s time for a look at what was a busy week for my teams and a quick preview of what is a much quieter week ahead (shoutout to Easter).

Hobart def Rochester 5-4

This was the start of a rough week for Rochester.  Hobart took a doubles lead with an 8-7 win at #2, and got first sets at 2-4 singles. At that point it looked like it was going to be a quick clinch, but credit to the Jackets for fighting back and at least pushing some matches into third sets. I was watching the Periscope for a bit and saw Tanmay Thakkar for Rochester fall at one point in the third set (cramps) and that basically ended up being the kiss of death for the Jackets. Big win for Masaru Fujimaki at #1 over Dubrosky, and at the time I was actually thinking he had an outside shot to make NCAAs, (though that would be gone by the end of the weekend).

Carleton def Hamline 9-0

Only thing to note here (besides the quotes from the Carleton coach in the recap!!!) is Leo Vithoontien’s win over Jake Trondson at #1, avenging his loss from the fall in the finals of the ITA. The 6-1, 4-6, 10-6 win basically locks up an NCAAs spot for Leo, who was in good shape even if he’d lost. For Trondson, unfortunately this was his best shot to get back into the running, as Hamline doesn’t have the schedule to get him many more chances for key wins. His only hope is if they end up playing Carleton or GAC in the MIAC tournament.

Hobart def NYU 5-4

After taking a doubles lead with three blowouts (8-2, 1-8, 8-2), Hobart got a couple of nice wins at the top of the lineup from Dubrovsky, who was impressive with a 1&1 win over Walia, and Atwater. It all came down to Colin Molloy vs Josh Piatos at #6 for the match, with Molloy coming through after getting rocked in the first set for a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 win. I didn’t realize until just now how this was actually quite a match. Good stuff from Hobart to hold off NYU, who is unranked but definitely in the mix with Hobart, Rochester, Stevens, and TCNJ.

TCNJ def Rochester 6-3

Rochester started their season with a doubles sweep of RPI in their upset win, and had been playing good doubles all season. That is until they got swept by TCNJ on Saturday. There would be no Amherst over Bowdoin-like performance from the Jackets, either, as TCNJ won at 1 and 2 to clinch fairly quickly. Nice win for Yifan Shen of Rochester at #3 over Wain, who’s been having a good year, but also a good win for Mitchel Sanders over Fujimaki at 1. Sanders is usually good for one or two solid wins every year, and this time around he not only set up Matt Michibata to clinch at #2, he also squashed any hopes Fujimaki had of making NCAAs.

RPI def Vassar 5-4

As I said last week, if this took place indoors (which it did), Vassar was going to keep it interesting (they did). RPI was fortunate to eek out a doubles lead thanks to an 8-7 win at 3, and held on thanks to straight set wins from their top 3. Vassar won at 4 and 5 in straights as well, and at 6 won in a superbreaker after the match had been clinched (RPI put in a non-starter since it was over).  Not a whole lot to take from this one because those courts are such an equalizer, but if anything, I continue to be underwhelmed with RPI.

Skidmore def Stevens 6-3

From following this match on Twitter I was getting all worked up about how it looked like JT Wynne had lost to Gomez at #1, which would’ve been very bad for his NCAA chances. I almost tweeted about it, and I’m glad I didn’t because it turns out that JT didn’t play at all in this one (hopefully not for anything significant). Good win for the T-breds to come through fairly comfortably without their best player, utilizing some of the depth that has been better than I expected it to be this year. For many years Skidmore has been one of the top non NESCAC teams in the Northeast because they have the best depth. There have been plenty of teams with a couple good players, but few that put out a lineup that can compete with the T-breds from top to bottom at every spot. We’ll see if anyone can manage to do that this year.

NYU def Rochester 5-4

Rounding out Rochester’s 0-3 week in big matches was a tough one against their bitter rival and fellow UAA punching bag NYU.  The Violets took a doubles lead and quickly won at 4 and 5. Disappointing results for two of Rochester’s mainstays in juniors Sahaj Somani and Tanmay Thakkar, who won seven games between the two of them in losses at 4 and 5. The clinch came at 3 where Lucas Biondi topped Runjia Fang (who moved down to 3) 6-1 in the third. At #1, Fujimaki got back on track with a superbreaker win over Walia. Pretty much every Northeast #1 I’ve discussed can beat each other on any given day. They are all at a pretty high level, but no one (besides maybe Wynne) has done enough to distinguish themselves and earn an NCAA bid.

UWW def UWEC 6-3

As predicted, this one snuck up on some people as a surprisingly close match, with UWEC taking a doubles lead. A loss would’ve put UW-Eau Claire in position to take the Pool B spot away from Whitewater (though not definitely), but it was not to be as the Warhawks stormed back to win five of six singles matches, though pretty much every court was tight. Credit to the Blugolds for hanging tough and giving UWW a worthy challenger within the WIAC, but even more credit to the Warhawks who continue to do what they gotta do in order to make NCAAs.

Stevens def Hobart 5-3

I’m proud of myself for suggesting last week that Hobart should probably be on upset alert for this one. It’s been a tough year for the Ducks, but this was a high point as they pulled the big upset. As many upsets do, it started with a doubles sweep. Don’t be surprised to see Gomez and Szayna (Stevens #1) very high in the next rankings, as they have only lost to UMW all year. If they beat NYU and TCNJ (their only big matches left) I could see them getting into NCAAs (though I don’t necessarily think they should). Anyway, Stevens has been weak at 5 and 6 all year, and Hobart is good at 1 and 2, so there was a pretty small path for the upset to happen, but Stevens managed to make it work, with Mark Kanevsky (my POTW) and Keegan Morris winning at 3 and 4 in the first two singles matches to finish to clinch. Rough loss for the Statesmen, but that’s what happens when you get swept in doubles!

Carleton def Coe 7-2

Once again, check out the recap for some amazing quotes. As far as the on court product goes, Carleton is the better team and the results prove that. A nice doubles sweep for the Knights set the tone (and Coe is usually a solid doubles team) and when you’ve got Leo on your team, you are pretty much set on at least one singles point. The box score shows this one was pretty straightforward, so while there’s not too much to say about it, from a broader perspective it’s worth pointing out that Carleton has gotten a LOT better in just a year or two. Like, a boring 7-2 win over Coe would never have happened in recent years. For reference, last year Coe won 7-2. This Carleton team actually reminds me a bit of recent solid Coe teams—a stud at #1 and then some solid depth players who also play solid doubles.

THIS WEEK

Stevens vs NYU (Wednesday)

As I wrote in POTW, Stevens and NYU have had some awesome battles through the years.  These are two similar teams and if they played 10 times, it would probably be 5-5 or 6-4. So basically, I feel like this one is a toss up. I give Stevens a doubles edge (especially at #1), though NYU probably has better depth. If I had to guess, Stevens will get a doubles lead, and NYU will win at 5 and 6, so 1-4 singles is where it’s at! Walia vs Gomez at #1 is a swing match, as is Kanevsky vs Parsch at #3, but honestly you could probably say that about any of the nine matches. Look, I’m no Skip Bayless so I’ll save the hot takes and just say I’m looking forward to another battle in the Battle of the Hudson. May the Racquets do the Talking.

RPI vs Hobart (Friday)

This is pretty much a straight up battle for the #2 seed in the Liberty League tournament, and these two teams will play again in the conference semis in a few weeks. Nonetheless, Round 1 should be a good match. I favor RPI, even though Hobart actually has an indirect via Rochester. I’ve said it all spring, but RPI has underachieved in my eyes. That said, I still absolutely think they can win the Liberty League, though it would be a good confidence booster and statement for themselves and their opponents if they can take care of Hobart in straightforward fashion.

Coe vs Luther (Friday)

Not unlike RPI vs Hobart, this is another match that is just a preview of a conference tournament match that will likely take place a few weeks later. Coe has had one of their weaker years in a while, and while Luther is a solid regional team, I think they are a half step below the Kohawks. It’s certainly close enough where I’ll be following this one and could realistically see the Norse pull the upset, but as I always say, when it comes to a perennial conference champion against challengers, go with the historical champ until proven otherwise. So until Luther actually wins (either this time or in the ARC final) I’m picking Coe.

UWW vs Wash U (Friday)

Not going to be close, and I expect this one to be a 9-0 affair, but figured I’d mention it anyway. Good prep match for Wash U before UAAs, and always good for a team like Whitewater to get a match in against a top 10 opponent.

Grinnell vs UWEC (Friday)

UWEC may not be getting a Pool B bid this year, but I’m sure they’ll still be up for this opportunity to move up in the rankings against Grinnell. The Pioneers have had a nice season and a loss here would put a damper on that, but either way they should cruise to another MWC title. Not much more to say on this one than just that it’s another one to pay attention to on Friday.

Thanks for reading! We’ve got a ton of stuff on the Blog right now, including a ton of women’s coverage. It’s been amazing to see how our coverage has grown over the years, particularly this season with the way the women’s writers have taken things to a new level! Look for much more as we start to get into conference tournaments and then NCAAs!!!