05-11-2018, 01:26 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-11-2018, 02:48 PM by ColoradoTree.)
Lots of could-go-either-way matches in the women's tournament today, but we saw one "wow" upset--74th-ranked Winthrop getting their first-ever NCAA tournament win over 20th-ranked Auburn. Auburn spent much of the season living in the top 16 (and thus, in line for a seed), but fell just far enough to have to go on the road. This is a legit stunner, as many (me included) thought Auburn could knock off #4 Georgia Tech in the second round.
Oregon ended up pulling it out against Tennessee, 4-2, with Tobita up a break in the third set when the match was clinched, so there was some room for error there.
Pepperdine looks like they might dodge a big bullet, as Kansas is tied 3-3 with Denver with one match tied up late. But even if Kansas survives, the Jayhawks' #1 player, 8th-ranked Anastasia Rychagova didn't play. If she's healthy, Kansas blows the doors off Denver, but instead, they're at risk of losing in the first round.
Michigan just won 4-0 with singles wins from Minor at #2, Jones at #4, and Ruder-Hook at #5. Melounova took the second set from Fahey just before the clincher, but while that match was in doubt, Hawaii just didn't have the depth to challenge Michigan overall.
Oregon ended up pulling it out against Tennessee, 4-2, with Tobita up a break in the third set when the match was clinched, so there was some room for error there.
Pepperdine looks like they might dodge a big bullet, as Kansas is tied 3-3 with Denver with one match tied up late. But even if Kansas survives, the Jayhawks' #1 player, 8th-ranked Anastasia Rychagova didn't play. If she's healthy, Kansas blows the doors off Denver, but instead, they're at risk of losing in the first round.
Michigan just won 4-0 with singles wins from Minor at #2, Jones at #4, and Ruder-Hook at #5. Melounova took the second set from Fahey just before the clincher, but while that match was in doubt, Hawaii just didn't have the depth to challenge Michigan overall.