[ColoradoTree]

Texas has 6 int'l players and 2 from the U.S. The two who are NOT playing in the lineup are -- wait for it -- the two Americans. I was hoping the pesky Turati twins would have graduated by now, but no, they're seniors. Gordon beat Bianca last year at #1 singles, so let's hope she can do it again. I'm not sure where we can get any other wins in the top 4 though. Their coach will have them pumped at the chance to beat us at home. Last year they got out of playing us here because of the wildfire smoke, IIRC.

I think it was the rain, if memory serves.  Couldn't get dry courts! (Which shouldn't be a factor, when good indoor facilities are close at hand, but that's another matter.) We did beat them at National Indoors last year, at least. 

As for the matchup, I think Blake has a decent shot to win on Court 3 against Texas. Texas has a great top 2, but they're vulnerable after that. Her match against likely Adri Nagy would be a freshman-freshman matchup, so that would be intriguing. So far, Texas has played four good teams--N.C. State, Georgia Tech, Florida State, and Ohio State. In those four matches, Nagy won a three-setter, lost a three-setter, and lost twice in straight sets (albeit competitively, 6-3, 6-4 in both of those matches). Blake can beat her. 

Shin against Labrana, though? She should beat her, but my confidence level in Shin right now is, uh, low. 

Anyway, that's probably the recipe against Texas. Either get doubles and three wins from Courts 1, 3, 5, and 6, or lose doubles and get all four of those matches. Not easy, however you look at it.

[ColoradoTree]

Texas has 6 int'l players and 2 from the U.S. The two who are NOT playing in the lineup are -- wait for it -- the two Americans. I was hoping the pesky Turati twins would have graduated by now, but no, they're seniors. Gordon beat Bianca last year at #1 singles, so let's hope she can do it again. I'm not sure where we can get any other wins in the top 4 though. Their coach will have them pumped at the chance to beat us at home. Last year they got out of playing us here because of the wildfire smoke, IIRC.

I think it was the rain, if memory serves.  Couldn't get dry courts! (Which shouldn't be a factor, when good indoor facilities are close at hand, but that's another matter.) We did beat them at National Indoors last year, at least. 

As for the matchup, I think Blake has a decent shot to win on Court 3 against Texas. Texas has a great top 2, but they're vulnerable after that. Her match against likely Adri Nagy would be a freshman-freshman matchup, so that would be intriguing. So far, Texas has played four good teams--N.C. State, Georgia Tech, Florida State, and Ohio State. In those four matches, Nagy won a three-setter, lost a three-setter, and lost twice in straight sets (albeit competitively, 6-3, 6-4 in both of those matches). Blake can beat her. 

Shin against Labrana, though? She should beat her, but my confidence level in Shin right now is, uh, low. 

Anyway, that's probably the recipe against Texas. Either get doubles and three wins from Courts 1, 3, 5, and 6, or lose doubles and get all four of those matches. Not easy, however you look at it.