05-21-2018, 11:11 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-21-2018, 11:48 AM by ColoradoTree.)
(05-21-2018, 10:53 AM)martyup Wrote: How do we look against Vandy in doubles play?
Their #1 team of Sharma/Contreras is highly-ranked (#11) and has only lost three times in dual match play, so that'll be a battle that I can't totally predict (they beat Arbuthnott/Gordon 6-3 back in February). The rankings would favor Stanford in that match, but given overall results, recent form, and the head-to-head result, I'd give Vanderbilt the edge on that court.
But we have opportunities at 2 and 3. Kurtz/Smith has been something of a liability at Court 2, going 8-8 in the dual season. I think we have an edge there, even though that team is slightly higher-ranked than Lampl/Yee (that match was 5-5 in February when it was abandoned). At #3, both teams have only suffered two losses this season, and are playing lights out. So, it's a toss-up at #1, a slight Stanford edge at #2, and a toss-up at #3. (Higuchi/Shin lost 6-1 back in February, but they never really found chemistry as a pair--Lord and Shin have taken off together.) Don't be shocked if, yet again, the doubles point comes down to a close match at #3.
Of course, playing someone at their place is a lot different than playing at a neutral site. And with doubles being one standard set, anything can happen in a given match. I'll be elated if we get the doubles point, but I'm not counting on it.
After this win, Stanford is now 10-1 all-time vs. Duke in women's tennis (Duke's only win was in the '98 tournament semifinals). Of note, Duke had the highest winning percentage in the country this year on Courts 2 (Chi), 4 (Chen), and 5 (Hamlin). They cleaned up there this season. And we won two of three of those matches in straight sets, and were serving up a break in the third one. The way this team elevates its play in the postseason is an annual treat.
Also, while I was sort of rooting for two Pac-12 teams in the Final Four, for NCAA championship purposes, I'm very relieved UCLA lost in the quarterfinals. The Pac-12 served notice that at the top, it's as strong as anyone, and Stanford is the last Pac-12 team standing yet again. All to the good. (On that note, #2 UCLA is playing in the men's tennis semifinals right now vs. #3 Ohio State. Go Buckeyes! Even if the Bruins pull that one out, they'll probably play #1 Wake Forest tomorrow on Wake's home courts.)
The matches at the top two courts should be a terrific display tomorrow. Four players, all in/near the Top 10 in UTR, battling it out.
I'll do a more in-depth preview later, but I feel pretty safe about this prediction right now: we are not getting shut out tomorrow.
(05-21-2018, 10:58 AM)Spiny_Norman Wrote: The last time that there was no Pac 12 in the women's team final? 1998. This marks the 20th consecutive year a P12 school has played for the NC.
That is unbelievable. 13 of those years featured Stanford, including 9 titles. 6 appearances for UCLA (2 titles), and 2 appearances for Cal, but Cal lost both times, including to UCLA in 2008. (Cal has never won a NCAA women's tennis title. May it ever be so.)
Keep underestimating us, NCAA. We'll be just fine.
Also, it needs to be said.
*clears throat*
MELISSA LORD STILL HAS NOT LOST A MATCH IN NCAA TEAM PLAY. SHE IS NOW 14 AND 0.
Please pardon the shouting. 'Twas necessary.