What a great weekend of tennis so far, and the best is yet to come! We are so gosh darn excited about CMS vs. Emory that ASW and I just had to type out our thoughts and get everyone ready for the championship match. Our Indoors final features two of D3’s marquee programs, and while the Athenas may have a slight edge on paper, champions are crowned on the court and this one could really go either way.
Keys to the Match
WestW: The Athenas haven’t shown any signs of weakness so far this year, but they also haven’t played anyone close to Emory’s level. Playing the Eagles indoors is an experience unlike any other in D3 — those ladies come out hyper-aggressive, attack every single ball, and play completely fearless. On top of that, they’re one of maybe two teams in the country that can match CMS’ depth and challenge them at just about every position. CMS certainly has the game to win this match, and I think the key for them is more mental. Can they balance having confidence in their games with the need to adapt on the fly against a team as good as EU? So far the Athenas have been able to rely on their insane talent level to beat teams, and haven’t had to really change their playing style, but the Eagles require a more tactical approach. They’ll need to play with tons of confidence to beat a team as loud and good as Emory, though they also need to play smart. When they get down a break or two and things aren’t working, the Athenas will have to trust themselves to make adjustments.
For Emory, Indoors is their turf. They beat the Athenas in this match last year and I guarantee you they’re going in with the mentality that it’s their championship to lose. It should be, they’ve won 3 straight. That said, CMS is really, really GOOOOOD. They play great defensive tennis and are incredibly consistent, with the stamina to effectively counter-punch the Eagles’ attacking styles. So while aggressiveness will serve EU well in dubs, they’ll need to channel it a bit in singles and choose their spots wisely. The ‘Nas are going to make them hit 3, 4, maybe 5 more balls than they’re used to, so Emory needs to be patient and methodical in their point development, wait for the short ball and have enough of a net presence to put big points away.
ASW: Yes, what WestW said. Neither team has been challenged yet this year, both teams have talented additions and talented returners, and this certainly could go either way. At this point, this is CMS’s match to lose. I know Emory has won the past 3 championships but last year feels like such a long time ago by now. As you’ll see below, that #2 doubles match is absolutely crucial for the Eagles. If the Athena’s can sweep doubles then the match is theirs. The key for the Eagles will be how deep they are willing to dig to win every point. Every single player needs to feel like if they lose, they will be losing the championship. That’s the kind of desperation that has made Emory such a dominant force in D3 for the past two decades and will earn them another championship tomorrow.
#1 doubles: Catherine Allen/Caroline Cox (CMS) vs. Stephanie Taylor/Christina Watson (EU)
WestW: CMS’ #1 doubles spot has mixed it up a bit, and I don’t know if Coach Schwarz will stick with last year’s champs in Allen/Cox or go with this year’s ITA winners in Allen/Leong. What a nice problem to have. Whoever it ends up being, they’ll need to watch out for Taylor’s killer swinging volleys CMS 8-6
ASW: After struggling a little against Brandeis, Taylor and Watson found their form against Pomona-Pitzer. Unfortunately for them, I’m not sure that will be enough to stop NCAA Champs Allen and Cox. CMS 8-5
#2 doubles: Justine Leong/Crystal Juan (CMS) vs. Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico/Jessica Fatemi (EU)
WestW: I think this is the Eagles’ best chance to pick up a dubs point, but it’s really hard to pick against Leong who hasn’t lost in D3 doubles all year. I won’t be surprised at all if Leong/Juan play two back. Should be a great match, and I think Emory takes a close one EU 8-7(4)
ASW: Ask all the bloggers, I LOVE two back. I think it’s extremely effective and root for any team that uses it. I think this is an extremely important match and I agree with WestW that the Eagles NEED this match to have a shot at winning tomorrow. Fortunately for Emory I think they will pull out the win, only because Ysa and Fatemi have a little more experience together. EU 8-7
#3 doubles: Sarah Bahsoun/Nicole Tan (CMS) vs. Alexa Goetz/Katelyn Thomas (EU)
WestW: Another great doubles matchup, another where I think the Athenas play two back for a good portion of the match. Goetz and Thomas will bring that typical Eagle aggression, though Bahsoun has great hands at net and those quick reflexes could make the difference here CMS 8-5
ASW: I like CMS in this one not because of the two back (still love it) but again because Bahsoun and Tan have so much experience and success together. Especially in big matches. Goetz and Thomas are both rookies at this point and might be a little stunned initially in tomorrow’s championship match. I think CMS takes this one pretty easily. CMS 8-3
#1 singles: Justine Leong (CMS) vs. Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico (EU)
WestW: This might be the match of the year. Leong has been the talk of our blog chat and rightfully so — she’s carved her way through all competition with a stellar all-around game. If there’s an asterisk in her ITA title it’s that YGR didn’t play, and if I’ve learned one thing the past few years it’s to never count Ysa out. She hasn’t lost to a D3 player in pretty much forever. Ysa’s such a tough lefty, hitting with a deadly combo of depth, pace, and spin, so get ready for a 3-set slugfest. I really hope this match gets the chance to finish. My brain says Leong, my gut says Ysa EU 4-6, 7-5, 6-4
ASW: I agree with everything WestW said above and I am so excited for this match. I have a lot of confidence in both of these players but I’m going to go with my head here and slot Leong for the win. I think she is a little sharper than Ysa right now. Mostly I just want to pick whoever WestW doesn’t pick so at the end of the day we can say that we collectively picked the correct winner. CMS 6-2, 3-6, 7-5
#2 singles: Catherine Allen (CMS) vs. Alexa Goetz (EU)
WestW: You might want to bring headphones for this match, it’s gonna get loud. I’m still sad that Allen-YGR didn’t finish at last year’s indoors, and playing a Top 5 player nationally at #2 is pretty unfair. Goetz is no slouch herself; she’s got great point construction and is able to punish the short ball extremely well. However, Allen plays amazing defense and her experience playing at the top spot last year combined with her fitness level should give her the advantage CMS 6-3 6-3
ASW: I like Goetz’s chances at 2 against anyone but Cat Allen. Allen is just too consistent, and after the tough loss today against Ryan of PP I don’t think Goetz has the momentum going for her right now. I think Goetz will put up a fight initially but Allen will wear her down. CMS 7-6, 6-2
#3 singles: Rebecca Berger (CMS) vs. Christina Watson (EU)
WestW: Another great match. They really all are here, I’m gonna have to construct a 6-screen setup for this championship. Watson rallied well today, coming from a set down to force a 3rd set breaker vs. PP’s Marcus. She’ll need that mental toughness to win this one, and Berger’s a frustrating opponent CMS 6-4, 6-4
ASW: Berger is a really tough opponent, but I want to predict Emory winning the championship so I need to give the rest of the singles matches to Emory at this point. I think Watson could win this one if she stays mentally tough and is willing to be patient in the long rallies. EU 7-6, 7-5
#4 singles: Sydney Lee (CMS) vs. Emma Cartledge (EU)
WestW: A rematch of last year’s #4 singles final where Cartledge prevailed 7-6, 6-4. Lee’s probably been itching for another chance ever since. Cartledge cruised through PP’s Salaway today, and Lee will provide a tougher test. Nevertheless, I think the Eagles get a needed point here EU 7-5 6-3
ASW: I think Cartledge uses her momentum and confidence from today to get through this one. Lee will come out looking for revenge for last year. She very well may get it but I’m going with the safer pick right now and picking Cartledge. EU 6-3, 7-5
#5 singles: Devon Wolfe (CMS) vs. Jessica Fatemi (EU)
WestW: Wolfe has the chance to be a real x-factor for the Athenas here. She’ll be fresh not having played in dubs, and I think her matchup vs. Southwestern’s Mitrofanova in the #3 spot last weekend will serve her well against another strong baseliner. I’m taking Wolfe for the clinch CMS 7-6, 6-4
ASW: I’m going to play my regional bias card and go with Fatemi. Wolfe is going to be fresh but I think Fatemi will be pumped after winning her doubles match and will go into this match with some gusto. EU 6-2, 6-4
#6 singles: Caroline Cox (CMS) vs. Katelyn Thomas (EU)
WestW: On paper these two are very evenly matched. Cox’s power baseline game plays well indoors and works pretty well against your prototypical Eagle. Tbh, I don’t know if this will be Thomas or if Olcay will slot back in here. Either way, the fact that Emory has a chance at #6 vs CMS highlights how deep they are, and I think they capitalize EU 6-4 7-5
ASW: OK I’ve made it to the last match and Emory still needs another point to win so Thomas better show up ready to play tomorrow. Cox certainly does have more experience at this stage but Thomas has that freshman “I didn’t know I was supposed to lose” thing going for her so let’s keep her win streak alive. EU 7-5, 6-1
Overall prediction:
WestW: CMS 5-4 but really 5-3 because I don’t think #1 singles finishes
ASW: Going into the weekend I would have been more comfortable predicting an Emory win but after Olcay was sidelined I don’t feel confident at all. If you look above you’ll notice I have a really hard time justifying why I think Emory takes singles 3-6 because maybe I secretly don’t think they will. However, I am the Asouth blogger here and these predictions don’t count for anything so I’m going balls to the walls and calling an Emory 5-4 repeat championship.