[ColoradoTree]

Now that Stanford clinched yet another final appearance after knocking out the defending champs (Vanderbilt), they're in the final versus #12 seed Oklahoma State.  Stanford is the #15 seed (like a 4 seed in the NCAA basketball tournament), but that is based on our #1 player, Carol Zhao, being out for most of the year playing/training with the Canadian national team, meaning the rest of the players were playing up a position--a great challenge that led to some losses but also great experience.  Once Zhao came back into the lineup, Stanford has been on fire--albeit a painful, heart-attack inducing fire, since the last few matches have been extremely competitive.

When and how to watch:

The match starts at 12pm local time (Central), so 10am Pacific for most of you. 

You can watch the live stream of whatever court you want at this link: http://streamingtennis.com/tulsa/

How we got here: 

1st round: Beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4-0
2nd round: Beat #19 Texas A&M (the main one) 4-3 (lost doubles point; won at 2, 4, 5, and 6 singles, with Davidson clinching the win in 3 sets at the #2 spot)
3rd round: Beat #1-ranked (but #2 seed) Florida 4-3 (lost doubles point; won at 1, 2, 5, and 6 singles, with Zhao beating the 4th-ranked player in the nation at the #1 spot and Davidson getting another 3-set clincher at the #2 spot)
Quarterfinals: Beat #10 Michigan 4-3 (won doubles point; won at 3, 4, 5, and 6 singles, with Doyle clinching the match at the #3 spot in a third-set tiebreaker)
Semifinals: Beat #6 (and defending NCAA champ) Vanderbilt 4-2 (won doubles point; won at 1, 5, and 6 singles, with Davidson's match at #2 being abandoned once Lampl clinched the match at the #5 spot in the third set).

How they got here: 

While Stanford labored against some very tough teams, Oklahoma State cruised in the early rounds, blanking three straight opponents (Albany, #28 Tulsa, and #5 Georgia) by 4-0 scores.  They took out #4 Ohio State 4-2 before getting by #2-ranked (but #1 seed) C.al today, 4-3.  As I noted in the semifinal thread, it's fair to say that they are on fire right now, and this is the furthest they've ever gotten in the NCAA tournament (they'd never reached the semis before this tournament either). 

While Stanford knocked off the #1, #6, #10, and #19 teams in the country on our road to the final, Oklahoma State beat the #2, #4, and #5 teams, so they've had the tougher road and they've made it look easy at times.  Our ladies definitely have their work cut out for them.  That said, both teams were severely tested today, so hopefully fatigue won't be a factor. 

Stanford-Oklahoma State lineups:

Doubles:

1. #5 Taylor Davidson/Caroline Doyle vs. #43 Maria Alvarez/Kelsey Laurente
2. #31 Carol Zhao/Melissa Lord vs. #54 Viktoriya Lushkova/Carla Tur Mari
3. Krista Hardebeck/Caroline Lampl vs. #79 Katarina Adamovic/Vladica Babic

Singles:

1. #25 Carol Zhao vs. #47 Katarina Adamovic
2. #46 Taylor Davidson vs. #44 Vladica Babic
3. #67 Caroline Doyle vs. #66 Viktoriya Lushkova
4. #100 Krista Hardebeck vs. Kelsey Laurente
5. Caroline Lampl vs. Katarina Stresnakova
6. Melissa Lord vs. Carla Tur Mari

A comment on doubles: it is decidedly odd to see a pairing of the #1 and #2 singles players on a team at the #3 doubles spot.  The doubles rankings suggest this is legitimate, though.

[ColoradoTree]

Now that Stanford clinched yet another final appearance after knocking out the defending champs (Vanderbilt), they're in the final versus #12 seed Oklahoma State.  Stanford is the #15 seed (like a 4 seed in the NCAA basketball tournament), but that is based on our #1 player, Carol Zhao, being out for most of the year playing/training with the Canadian national team, meaning the rest of the players were playing up a position--a great challenge that led to some losses but also great experience.  Once Zhao came back into the lineup, Stanford has been on fire--albeit a painful, heart-attack inducing fire, since the last few matches have been extremely competitive.

When and how to watch:

The match starts at 12pm local time (Central), so 10am Pacific for most of you. 

You can watch the live stream of whatever court you want at this link: http://streamingtennis.com/tulsa/

How we got here: 

1st round: Beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4-0
2nd round: Beat #19 Texas A&M (the main one) 4-3 (lost doubles point; won at 2, 4, 5, and 6 singles, with Davidson clinching the win in 3 sets at the #2 spot)
3rd round: Beat #1-ranked (but #2 seed) Florida 4-3 (lost doubles point; won at 1, 2, 5, and 6 singles, with Zhao beating the 4th-ranked player in the nation at the #1 spot and Davidson getting another 3-set clincher at the #2 spot)
Quarterfinals: Beat #10 Michigan 4-3 (won doubles point; won at 3, 4, 5, and 6 singles, with Doyle clinching the match at the #3 spot in a third-set tiebreaker)
Semifinals: Beat #6 (and defending NCAA champ) Vanderbilt 4-2 (won doubles point; won at 1, 5, and 6 singles, with Davidson's match at #2 being abandoned once Lampl clinched the match at the #5 spot in the third set).

How they got here: 

While Stanford labored against some very tough teams, Oklahoma State cruised in the early rounds, blanking three straight opponents (Albany, #28 Tulsa, and #5 Georgia) by 4-0 scores.  They took out #4 Ohio State 4-2 before getting by #2-ranked (but #1 seed) C.al today, 4-3.  As I noted in the semifinal thread, it's fair to say that they are on fire right now, and this is the furthest they've ever gotten in the NCAA tournament (they'd never reached the semis before this tournament either). 

While Stanford knocked off the #1, #6, #10, and #19 teams in the country on our road to the final, Oklahoma State beat the #2, #4, and #5 teams, so they've had the tougher road and they've made it look easy at times.  Our ladies definitely have their work cut out for them.  That said, both teams were severely tested today, so hopefully fatigue won't be a factor. 

Stanford-Oklahoma State lineups:

Doubles:

1. #5 Taylor Davidson/Caroline Doyle vs. #43 Maria Alvarez/Kelsey Laurente
2. #31 Carol Zhao/Melissa Lord vs. #54 Viktoriya Lushkova/Carla Tur Mari
3. Krista Hardebeck/Caroline Lampl vs. #79 Katarina Adamovic/Vladica Babic

Singles:

1. #25 Carol Zhao vs. #47 Katarina Adamovic
2. #46 Taylor Davidson vs. #44 Vladica Babic
3. #67 Caroline Doyle vs. #66 Viktoriya Lushkova
4. #100 Krista Hardebeck vs. Kelsey Laurente
5. Caroline Lampl vs. Katarina Stresnakova
6. Melissa Lord vs. Carla Tur Mari

A comment on doubles: it is decidedly odd to see a pairing of the #1 and #2 singles players on a team at the #3 doubles spot.  The doubles rankings suggest this is legitimate, though.

[oldalum]

The doubles point will be critical (duh). But more so than in the past matches because OSU's "hottest" player is #3 Lushkova, while our "coolest" player is #3 Doyle, so I would expect an OSU win at #3 singles. If we also lost the doubles point, we'd have to win 4 of 5 remaining singles matches to win. At #1 Zhao is going to have her hands full with OSU's #1 player who just destroyed Cal's Manasse in the second set today. I like our chances at 2 and 4-6. But winning 4 of 5 will be very difficult to pull off against such a hot team. If we win the doubles point, however, chances are good we'll win 3 out of the 5 singles. And all 3 of our doubles teams played well today, so I feel more optimistic about our doubles than I have for a while.

Also, neither team knows the other, and I would think we have the advantage in coaching: preparation this evening, and especially within-match coaching.

[oldalum]

The doubles point will be critical (duh). But more so than in the past matches because OSU's "hottest" player is #3 Lushkova, while our "coolest" player is #3 Doyle, so I would expect an OSU win at #3 singles. If we also lost the doubles point, we'd have to win 4 of 5 remaining singles matches to win. At #1 Zhao is going to have her hands full with OSU's #1 player who just destroyed Cal's Manasse in the second set today. I like our chances at 2 and 4-6. But winning 4 of 5 will be very difficult to pull off against such a hot team. If we win the doubles point, however, chances are good we'll win 3 out of the 5 singles. And all 3 of our doubles teams played well today, so I feel more optimistic about our doubles than I have for a while.

Also, neither team knows the other, and I would think we have the advantage in coaching: preparation this evening, and especially within-match coaching.

[Hulk01]

Did Davidson play at #3 in one of the matches, as you indicate, or was that an error?

And does that mean Doyle has yet to win a match in the tournament?

[Hulk01]

Did Davidson play at #3 in one of the matches, as you indicate, or was that an error?

And does that mean Doyle has yet to win a match in the tournament?

[2006alum]

Did Davidson play at #3 in one of the matches, as you indicate, or was that an error?

And does that mean Doyle has yet to win a match in the tournament?

No - Doyle was our clutch player coming back from behind in the third set to pull out our 4-3 win over Michigan in the Elite Eight. But I think she's been more inconsistent than the others in the last few weeks.

[2006alum]

Did Davidson play at #3 in one of the matches, as you indicate, or was that an error?

And does that mean Doyle has yet to win a match in the tournament?

No - Doyle was our clutch player coming back from behind in the third set to pull out our 4-3 win over Michigan in the Elite Eight. But I think she's been more inconsistent than the others in the last few weeks.

[Spiny_Norman]

A few notes.

Oklahoma State has been dominant in doubles.  From what I have read, they have only lost the doubles point twice all season.  31 doubles points in 33 matches.  That's nearly automatic. 

Oklahoma State has never won a national championship in any women's sport.

I believe that Doyle has only won one singles match in the postseason - the clincher vs. Michigan. 

[Spiny_Norman]

A few notes.

Oklahoma State has been dominant in doubles.  From what I have read, they have only lost the doubles point twice all season.  31 doubles points in 33 matches.  That's nearly automatic. 

Oklahoma State has never won a national championship in any women's sport.

I believe that Doyle has only won one singles match in the postseason - the clincher vs. Michigan. 

[oldalum]

[quote author=Hulk01 link=topic=15092.msg163324#msg163324 date=1464089341]
Did Davidson play at #3 in one of the matches, as you indicate, or was that an error?

And does that mean Doyle has yet to win a match in the tournament?

No - Doyle was our clutch player coming back from behind in the third set to pull out our 4-3 win over Michigan in the Elite Eight. But I think she's been more inconsistent than the others in the last few weeks.
[/quote]
Yes, shaky and inconsistent. Even against Michigan, in doubles she doubled faulted 4 times to give Michigan the clinching game, and in the third-set tiebreaker she won to clinch the match, she doubled faulted twice. She is playing against who the OSU coach describes as his most consistent player, a 98% automatic W. She lost her first singles set against Cal which OSU was totally shocked by, she had only lost one or two sets in the previous two months or something; then she pulled out the win.

I don't think Davidson has ever played at #3 this year.

[oldalum]

[quote author=Hulk01 link=topic=15092.msg163324#msg163324 date=1464089341]
Did Davidson play at #3 in one of the matches, as you indicate, or was that an error?

And does that mean Doyle has yet to win a match in the tournament?

No - Doyle was our clutch player coming back from behind in the third set to pull out our 4-3 win over Michigan in the Elite Eight. But I think she's been more inconsistent than the others in the last few weeks.
[/quote]
Yes, shaky and inconsistent. Even against Michigan, in doubles she doubled faulted 4 times to give Michigan the clinching game, and in the third-set tiebreaker she won to clinch the match, she doubled faulted twice. She is playing against who the OSU coach describes as his most consistent player, a 98% automatic W. She lost her first singles set against Cal which OSU was totally shocked by, she had only lost one or two sets in the previous two months or something; then she pulled out the win.

I don't think Davidson has ever played at #3 this year.

[ColoradoTree]

Did Davidson play at #3 in one of the matches, as you indicate, or was that an error?

And does that mean Doyle has yet to win a match in the tournament?

Ah, an error.  Davidson has been at #2 all tournament (and the rest of the year with the exception of the time Zhao was out, when Davidson played at #1). 

And yes, as others have noted, Doyle has been shaky in both doubles and singles.  Her Michigan match was a great story of redemption.  In doubles, the #2 and #3 courts had split, so the doubles point came down to the #1 court. The match was on serve, and Doyle was serving at 5-6.  A game win sends it into a tiebreaker for the doubles point, but instead she was broken on four straight double faults.  Instead of going into a tailspin, however, she ended up clinching the 4-3 win for us, winning a third-set tiebreaker to get her only win of the postseason so far. 

[ColoradoTree]

Did Davidson play at #3 in one of the matches, as you indicate, or was that an error?

And does that mean Doyle has yet to win a match in the tournament?

Ah, an error.  Davidson has been at #2 all tournament (and the rest of the year with the exception of the time Zhao was out, when Davidson played at #1). 

And yes, as others have noted, Doyle has been shaky in both doubles and singles.  Her Michigan match was a great story of redemption.  In doubles, the #2 and #3 courts had split, so the doubles point came down to the #1 court. The match was on serve, and Doyle was serving at 5-6.  A game win sends it into a tiebreaker for the doubles point, but instead she was broken on four straight double faults.  Instead of going into a tailspin, however, she ended up clinching the 4-3 win for us, winning a third-set tiebreaker to get her only win of the postseason so far. 

[ColoradoTree]

Slow start to the doubles.  On serve at #1, but Lord/Zhao are down a break at #2, as are Hardebeck/Lampl at #3. 

#1: 1-1
#2: 0-3
#3: 0-2

[ColoradoTree]

Slow start to the doubles.  On serve at #1, but Lord/Zhao are down a break at #2, as are Hardebeck/Lampl at #3. 

#1: 1-1
#2: 0-3
#3: 0-2

[ColoradoTree]

Hardebeck and Lampl broke back to get the match at #3 back on serve at 1-2, but were then broken in turn.  Lord/Zhao broke at #2 to get that match back on serve.  Doyle was broken at #1 (with a couple of double faults--her confidence in her serve is not at an all-time high), and then we had 3 break points but couldn't convert, leaving Okla State up a break. 

#1. Trail 1-3 (down a break)
#2. Trail 2-3 (on serve)
#3. Trail 1-3 (down a break)

[ColoradoTree]

Hardebeck and Lampl broke back to get the match at #3 back on serve at 1-2, but were then broken in turn.  Lord/Zhao broke at #2 to get that match back on serve.  Doyle was broken at #1 (with a couple of double faults--her confidence in her serve is not at an all-time high), and then we had 3 break points but couldn't convert, leaving Okla State up a break. 

#1. Trail 1-3 (down a break)
#2. Trail 2-3 (on serve)
#3. Trail 1-3 (down a break)

[ColoradoTree]

This doubles point is getting away from us, that's for sure.

#1. Trail 1-4 (down a double break)
#2. Trail 3-4 (on serve)
#3. Trail 1-5 (down a double break)

[ColoradoTree]

This doubles point is getting away from us, that's for sure.

#1. Trail 1-4 (down a double break)
#2. Trail 3-4 (on serve)
#3. Trail 1-5 (down a double break)

[ColoradoTree]

We lose at Court 3, but Lord/Zhao broke and will now serve for their match, and we got one of the breaks back at Court 1 (and then Doyle held!), so there's a glimmer of hope....

#1. Trail 3-4 (down a break).  Oklahoma State serving.
#2. Lead 5-4 (up a break).  Stanford serving.
#3. Lost 1-6. 

Also, maybe it's the Midwestern in me, but I just can't type OSU as an abbreviation for Oklahoma State.  Just can't make it work. 

[ColoradoTree]

We lose at Court 3, but Lord/Zhao broke and will now serve for their match, and we got one of the breaks back at Court 1 (and then Doyle held!), so there's a glimmer of hope....

#1. Trail 3-4 (down a break).  Oklahoma State serving.
#2. Lead 5-4 (up a break).  Stanford serving.
#3. Lost 1-6. 

Also, maybe it's the Midwestern in me, but I just can't type OSU as an abbreviation for Oklahoma State.  Just can't make it work. 

[ColoradoTree]

Lord double-faulted on deciding point, so we're back on serve at Court 2, 5-5.  Davidson serving to stay in the match at Court 1, 3-5. 

[ColoradoTree]

Lord double-faulted on deciding point, so we're back on serve at Court 2, 5-5.  Davidson serving to stay in the match at Court 1, 3-5. 

[ColoradoTree]

Davidson is broken on Court 1, and there's the doubles point. 

#1. Lost 3-6.
#2. 5-5, suspended.
#3. Lost 1-6.

[ColoradoTree]

Davidson is broken on Court 1, and there's the doubles point. 

#1. Lost 3-6.
#2. 5-5, suspended.
#3. Lost 1-6.

[terry]

Not off to a good start. Going to have to do it the hard way, again.

[terry]

Not off to a good start. Going to have to do it the hard way, again.

[BostonCard]

Not off to a good start. Going to have to do it the hard way, again.

I think we've only won the double's point once.  The bigger problem is we are down a break i three of the first matches.

BC

[BostonCard]

Not off to a good start. Going to have to do it the hard way, again.

I think we've only won the double's point once.  The bigger problem is we are down a break i three of the first matches.

BC

[ColoradoTree]

I feel like we've got an edge at 5 and 6, with the rest too close to call.  I'd like to see Doyle get back on track, too, but I've got a hunch that Hardebeck's match will be the decider. 

Comparing the most recent (and maybe only--I haven't done the research) common opponent in C.al, here are some tea leaves to read:

Oklahoma State won the doubles point vs. C.al, and we lost it versus C.al, but we already know that Oklahoma State doubles is legit. 

At #1 singles, Zhao beat C.al's Manasse 6-1, 6-4, while Oklahoma State's Adamovic just beat her 6-4, 6-2.  Not much to take from that. 

At #2, C.al's Klara Fabikova beat Davidson 6-4, 6-4, while beating Oklahoma State's Babic 6-3, 7-6.  Again, not much to take from that.

At #3, Doyle beat C.al's Lynn Chi in three sets, and so did Oklahoma State's Lushkova.  See id. 

At #4, Hardebeck beat C.al's Denise Starr 6-2, 6-3, and Oklahoma State's Laurente beat her 6-4, 6-3.  Same story.

At #5, Lampl beat C.al's Olivia Hauger in three sets, while Hauger beat Oklahoma State's Stresnakova 6-2, 6-4.  Based on this scientific sample of two whole matches, I'll give Lampl the edge.

At #6, C.al's Karla Popovic just barely beat Lord, 7-6, 7-5, while Popovic easily dispatched Oklahoma State's Carla Tur Mari 6-1, 6-2.  By the same rationale, I'll give Lord an edge. 

So, as it's been lately, it'll be our back courts that need to carry us. 

[ColoradoTree]

I feel like we've got an edge at 5 and 6, with the rest too close to call.  I'd like to see Doyle get back on track, too, but I've got a hunch that Hardebeck's match will be the decider. 

Comparing the most recent (and maybe only--I haven't done the research) common opponent in C.al, here are some tea leaves to read:

Oklahoma State won the doubles point vs. C.al, and we lost it versus C.al, but we already know that Oklahoma State doubles is legit. 

At #1 singles, Zhao beat C.al's Manasse 6-1, 6-4, while Oklahoma State's Adamovic just beat her 6-4, 6-2.  Not much to take from that. 

At #2, C.al's Klara Fabikova beat Davidson 6-4, 6-4, while beating Oklahoma State's Babic 6-3, 7-6.  Again, not much to take from that.

At #3, Doyle beat C.al's Lynn Chi in three sets, and so did Oklahoma State's Lushkova.  See id. 

At #4, Hardebeck beat C.al's Denise Starr 6-2, 6-3, and Oklahoma State's Laurente beat her 6-4, 6-3.  Same story.

At #5, Lampl beat C.al's Olivia Hauger in three sets, while Hauger beat Oklahoma State's Stresnakova 6-2, 6-4.  Based on this scientific sample of two whole matches, I'll give Lampl the edge.

At #6, C.al's Karla Popovic just barely beat Lord, 7-6, 7-5, while Popovic easily dispatched Oklahoma State's Carla Tur Mari 6-1, 6-2.  By the same rationale, I'll give Lord an edge. 

So, as it's been lately, it'll be our back courts that need to carry us. 

[BostonCard]

Yech.  Davidson is down two breaks.  Zhao, Lord, and Lampl are down one.  The last two are on serve.  Still the first set, but not looking good.

BC

[BostonCard]

Yech.  Davidson is down two breaks.  Zhao, Lord, and Lampl are down one.  The last two are on serve.  Still the first set, but not looking good.

BC

[ColoradoTree]

I mean, did we expect it would be easy with this team?  What's surprising to me is Lampl and Lord so far.  They've been lights out to this point. 

Round-up:

#1. Zhao loses the first set 4-6.
#2. Davidson loses the first set 3-6. 
#3. Doyle wins the first set 6-4.
#4. Hardebeck wins the first set 6-4.
#5. Lampl loses the first set 4-6.
#6. Lord trails 5-6 (down a break).  Oklahoma State to serve for the set.

As per usual, it looks like we'll need a couple of three-setters (or more) to pull this one out. 

[ColoradoTree]

I mean, did we expect it would be easy with this team?  What's surprising to me is Lampl and Lord so far.  They've been lights out to this point. 

Round-up:

#1. Zhao loses the first set 4-6.
#2. Davidson loses the first set 3-6. 
#3. Doyle wins the first set 6-4.
#4. Hardebeck wins the first set 6-4.
#5. Lampl loses the first set 4-6.
#6. Lord trails 5-6 (down a break).  Oklahoma State to serve for the set.

As per usual, it looks like we'll need a couple of three-setters (or more) to pull this one out. 

[DC 86]

Lord broke back to 6-6, crucial tie breaker now.

[DC 86]

Lord broke back to 6-6, crucial tie breaker now.

[fullmetal]

Davidson's in a bit of trouble having lost the first set 3-6 and now down 1-4 in the second.  Lord's neck and neck on her court, and Lampl+Hardebeck are fighting back in style after dropping their respective first sets.

[fullmetal]

Davidson's in a bit of trouble having lost the first set 3-6 and now down 1-4 in the second.  Lord's neck and neck on her court, and Lampl+Hardebeck are fighting back in style after dropping their respective first sets.