Silly D3Northeast thought me and NewCentral would be fighting over who did this intro. This will obviously be me, because of a few things:
- NewCentral might not even get to this article – Spoiler: he does.
- I write better intros anyways
- Emory is going to win
- I am the headmaster
Okay, now that that’s over, we can move onto the matches. The quarterfinals brings us the most classic of all the DIII Tennis rivalries, at least in my time. The Emory/Wash U battle has a rich history that has typically sided in Emory’s favor, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s been one sided. Most of these matches are close when people don’t think they should be and that is a testament to the rivalry. In fact, in 2015, The Guru (never forget) did a “History of Emory vs. Wash U” post. The link to that is below:
This quarterfinal is setting up to be the wild card of the quarterfinals. My gut tells me that Emory is going to come out firing and bury the Bears, but there’s something about Wash U that always keeps them in matches. They hang around. Now, I for one think this will be a blowout, but I am sure there are believers out there that think the Bears can come out of this with a massive upset. Should make for an interesting result on Monday afternoon.
The last time this was played at UAAs, Emory won 5-3 with a couple of matches going three sets. Now, Wash U won the doubles in that match, and they’ll certainly have to win it again. But, this can definitely go Wash U’s way on the right day. Don’t doubt that.
When: Not before 4:30 p.m.
Where: Stowe Stadium (Kalamazoo College courts).
Weather forecast: Mid 50’s and partly sunny
Emory
Power 6: 71.49
NCAA experience: Final Four in 2016, NATIONAL CHAMPIONS IN 2017, Final Four in 2018
Strengths: Top of singles lineup, middle of singles lineup, NCAA experience, knowing how to win
Weaknesses: Doubles, singles depth
Starting seniors: Jonathan Jemison (#1 singles/#1 doubles), Adrien Bouchet (#3 singles/#1 doubles), James Spaulding (#6 singles/#2 doubles)
Starting freshmen: Antonio Mora (#4 singles/#3 doubles), Andrew Esses (#5 singles)
Wash U
Power 6: 69.78
NCAA experience: Quarterfinals 3x (2016, 2017, 2018)
Strengths: Top of the singles lineup, coaching
Weaknesses: Singles depth
Starting seniors: Konrad Kozlowski (#5 singles/#1 doubles), Radha Vishnubholta (#3 doubles)
Starting freshmen: None
MATCH BY MATCH PREVIEW
#1 doubles: Jemison/Bouchet (Emory) vs Kozlowski/Neves (Wash U)
AS: Did you know that at one point this year, Jemison and Bouchet won 11 matches in a row? One of those matches happened to be against this same team of Koz/Neves. Despite a head-scratching loss to the #1 team out of NC Wesleyan this past weekend, the two seniors at the top of the doubles lineup are the clear favorites in this match. Emory has to feel good that they should be able to come out of the doubles portion with AT LEAST one doubles match. Emory, 8-4
newCentral: I’ve been a believer in Jemison & Bouchet as a doubles team since their humble origins at not-one doubles. Jemison and Bouchet, as AS pointed out, have already defeated this pairing this season and I think that the seniors begin their final Elite Eight weekend in style. I feel an Emory five game run in the middle of this doubles match ignited by a couple of massive down the line passing shots from Jemison, and that will be the difference maker. Emory, 8-3
#2 doubles: Spaulding/Wanner (Emory) vs Hillis/Van der Sman (Wash U)
AS: Wash U needs to take a stand in doubles, as I mentioned earlier on in the intro of ths article. Luckily for them, Spaulding/Wanner have not been playing their best tennis as of late, including losing 4 out of their last 7 matches. One of those matches is to the Wash U duo of Hillis and BvDS. While the general season stats say that Wash U has the advantage here, my gut tells me the fiery duo of SPaulding and Wanner will bring an extra gear in this match. Emory 8-7 (5)
newCentral: Hillis, the region’s player to watch for next year (who would’ve thought to watch the ITA champion, NCAA Individuals contender, and regional powerhouse next year…) is the best player on the court. Conversely, this match has sweep written all over its opening act: it features an underrated Emory team and an untested (in the postseason) Wash U which should result in a quick Emory sweep to reannounce themselves to the country. However, I’m going with Hillis and van der Sman to prevent the sweep, the tiebreak will feature a letcord, an errant pebble, or some other act of God in the underdogs favor – calling it now. Wash U, 8-7(4)
#3 doubles: Cassone/Mora (Emory) vs Vishnubholta/Li (Wash U)
AS: Two losses all year for Cassone/Mora. One loss to Wash U. But when the bright lights are on, I normally go with the talent. Cassone and Mora have been lights out all year and while the Wash U team plays some great doubles, I think this one ends early as Emory takes a stand and sweeps the doubles. Emory 8-6
newCentral: Li has been a gem for Wash U this year, and should come into his own as one of the best threes in the country next year. Vishnubhotla has played all over this doubles lineup in his career, and understands Wash U’s doubles philosophy to a T. Unfortunately, they square up with the always box office, the always NSFW Cassone and the ASouth’s best first year: Mora. Emory will have a lead after doubles, and I predict 1 and 3 come off the board rather quickly. Emory, 8-4
#1 singles: Jonathan Jemison (Emory) vs Ethan Hillis (Wash U)
AS: We are rounding out an amazing year from young Ethan Hillis, who has played every match like he’s playing against Coach Todd Doebler’s son. Jemison should be amped for this one as he was routined by Ethan at UAAs. Will this be closer or will Hillis just keep it rolling? For Wash U’s sake, their MVP keeps it rolling, but a win is stolen from him because the match ends a little bit too early. Wash U leads, 6-2, 5-2.
newCentral: OMG. ASouth stays the blurb king we need but not the one we deserve. I think that Hillis has been the best player in the country at times this year, and he has a shot to make a deep, deep run at Individuals. Jemison’s being balling for four years now; and even though Hillis has risen up to all the hype and expectations, I feel like it’s dangerous to count out a battle tested Emory 1 in the postseason – especially one as decorated and fiery as Jemison. Wash U leads, 6-4, 2-6, 2-0.
#2 singles: Hayden Cassone (Emory) vs Bernardo Neves (Wash U)
AS: Word on the street is that Hayden has not been healthy all year, but without any reports to go off of, it’s anybody’s guess. Cassone ran through Neves the last time out, which was a disappointing result for sure. Neves has been touted as one of the better #2s in the nation and I expect a different player out there this time than at UAAs. He will have to handle the downright stupid antics that Cassone brings to the court (hopefully future Hayden tries this in the real world) and Neves SHOULD have the ability to handle it. As long as he doesn’t let crap get to him, this one will be close. Wash U leads, 7-6 (4), 0-1.
newCentral: The match should open with an underhand serve but it probably won’t. This match will have everything: a contrast of styles, a contrast of morals, long points, short points, cat & mouse points, hindrances, tight calls, winners hit no regard for human life, errors in moments you’d never expect, two of the best 2s in the country and a time traveling Katy Perry. Oh you didn’t know, Katy Perry traveled to this match in a time machine and wrote Fireworks after watching the first three games because it was so fiesty. Emory leads, 1-6, 7-5, 1-0.
#3 singles: Adrien Bouchet (Emory) vs Daniel Li (Wash U)
AS: Daniel Li has been a key cog for the Bears in the middle of the lineup as BvDS has not necessarily performed up to our lofty expectations for him. But, that’s why you play as a team. Li has a couple marquee wins on his resume so far, including a revenge win over Charlie Pei of CHicago the last time out (he lost the first two). Could this mean that Li is improving? Absolutely. But, to go against a senior with a national title under his belt already is quite stupid. Emory leads, 6-2, 5-3
newCentral: I said it earlier and I’ll say it again, the SLEEEVE, Daniel Li, has been a point of pride for Wash U this year. He’s been integral to all of their successes, and has shown the gumption and courage to be relied on in crunchtime. Similarly to 1, as successful as Li has been all year…Bouchet’s been doing it for four. Bouchet (statcheck please) has clinched more big time matches than any active player in the country right now…yes I can only think of two right now, but my memory’s iffy at best and I know he has more. Li and Wash U’s season is going to end against one of the best threes of the past four years. Emory 6-2, 7-5.
#4 singles: Antonio Mora (Emory) vs Ben van der Sman (Wash U)
AS: Antonio Mora has lost one match all year in his freshman year. Literally one. He mowed down van der Sman in the previous meeting, comes into this match with more confidence than he’ll ever need, and he’ll enter the match with a doubles sweep behind the Emory faithful. Sometimes I pick upsets, this is not where I plan on doing so. Emory 6-1, 6-4.
newCentral: ASouth has this one covered, unless Mora bottles it there’s only one choice here. Emory 7-6(2), 6-2.
#5 singles: Andrew Esses (Emory) vs Konrad Kozlowski (Wash U)
AS: After not making much of an impact in singles over the years, Kozlowski has really made strides this year as a singles player. Who would have thought he’d be a constant in the singles lineup for this Wash U team? I don’t think anyone before the year. That being said, the senior will potentially be playing in his last ever dual match against the freshman Esses. Esses has had almost as good a year as Mora, so he’s been overshadowed a bit. He certainly hasn’t been as lights out as Antonio, but that’s hard to do either way. I like Emory, but Kozlowski is going to be leading in this one in my opinion. Wash U leads, 6-4, 4-4.
newCentral: Kozlowski’s gone from doubles specialist to one of the Bears more consistent bottom half lineup guys. His attacking game can frustrate anyone who’s having an off day with their passing and lobs, and that kick wide is never comfortable with a charging Koz running behind it. I think Kozlowski ends his senior singles season on a high with a win here before Emory clinches. Wash U, 6-3, 6-4.
#6 singles: James Spaulding (Emory) vs Koki Takabatake/JJ Kroot (Wash U)
AS: Given how this match went last time out, it will be interesting if Follmer throws Kroot or Takabatake out there. Kroot is obviously the more experienced player, but he’s not a senior yet, so he doesn’t “deserve” this match per se. After Spaulding figured out Kroot at UAAs, he cruised. Could it be more of the same this time? I expect that Follmer will throw Koki out there for some fresh blood. EIther way, Spaulding wins this one in straights to clinch it out. Emory, 6-3. 6-1.
newCentral: Kroot hasn’t had too much burn this season and Spaulding has a winning record over him, while Takabatake is a syllable king who could hit a “Marcelo Rios rejoining the tour for the Sunshine Double level surprise” game style and shock the stronger Spaulding. I don’t think it’s happening, but you never know the.tennis gods get bored and love their 0-6,6-0,7-6(6)s, so it could. Emory, 6-0, 6-4.
MATCH PREDICTIONS
AS: Emory 5-0
newCentral:Emory 5-2 (each team leads in one of the remaining matches)
NE: Emory 5-2
DIIIWest:
RegAS:
RegNE/C:
NewRegional:
AVZ: Emory 5-2
CHB:
AS: All in all, I’m looking at a blitz by Emory to move onto the semifinals. NCAAs is where the Eagles are supposed to shine, and Coach Browning should make it clear that the guys should be trying to conserve energy where they can. A beatdown of the Bears would go a long way for the Eagles championship hopes. Emory learns something from the last time out in UAAs, rises to the occasion, and eliminates Wash U behind a doubles sweep and a few key spots at the bottom of the lineup. Welcome to the Final Four, Emory. Seems like we were just here. ASouth, OUT.
newCentral: All things considered, I’m looking at a Wash U resistance that comes up just a little short against Emory’s strengths and continues to be live beneath the Eagles. Emory was underrated before we kept calling them underrated, but no matter how we label them – they’re a threat to win this whole thing. Emory can challenge any of the other EliteEightists in doubles and Bouchet, Mora, and Spaulding may be favored the rest of the tournament – Jemison, Cassone, and Esses as your 50-50ish matches can only instill further spirit in a team that straddles the line of arrogant and confident. Wash U returns most of their starters and should remain an Elite Eight standby (shoutout to St. Louis) but will need to shore up their depth to a national level in order to breakthrough this barrier. Emory and Wash U leave each other the same way they did last year (a lot of years probably) – Emory is Wash U’s big brother. And that’s the way the cookie crumbles, -newCentral.