[Treefence]

Should we be reading anything into the lineups this game, or are we likely experimenting?  It's interesting seeing Higuchi at #2, given she's been essentially a life long #6.  I'd assume she'd drop down below Blake and Arbuthnott, but does anyone have insight?

I am not reading much into this lineup as far as what it means for the season. Higuchi at #2 feels like a reward for a loyal player (not sure if she's ever played a singles match on a stadium court in her career here before), not a realistic projection of where she'll be this year (heck, I don't think Higuchi should really be in the singles lineup at all, given the talent everywhere else in the lineup that's younger with a higher ceiling). Let's see what things look like next week as we get into conference play, but even then, Utah/Colorado could see us throw some non-standard lineups, so I'd wait and see what we look like against ASU the following week. That's the first gut check moment of what Lele thinks our top 6 really is.

THAT SAID, here's what I'm reading into the lineup/results:

* Choy above Shin doesn't feel like an experiment, given that they were 4-5 the other way last year. Maybe a data point that Lele is noticing Shin's regression/failure to develop and is slotting her accordingly? 
* Excited to see Geller at 3 and hopeful for what that might mean. Even more excited to see her be the first one off court with a dominant win. 
* Houghton with her first career clincher! Love it. 
* Geller being above Houghton (and three lines above her, to boot) suggests Lele sees Geller as clearly ahead. 
* There's gonna be rust. So, the fact that Choy and Shin aren't running away with their second sets isn't a big deal, but I do want to see them respond and turn on the jets. The talent differential is so big that there's no excuse for not pulling away here.

I agree with pretty much all of what you said, Higuchi early on was a great #6, but I think the college game has passed her standing as a dominate automatic point there, and I think we might have 6 or 7 better players.  I did like seeing Geller at #3, and read that to mean she's impressed so far.  I a bit worried our Junior class, Choy and Madurawe may not ever be big contributors, hopefully I wrong there.  Blake seemed like she had the potential to be a legit blue chipper in the college ranks, but again only time will tell.

[Treefence]

Should we be reading anything into the lineups this game, or are we likely experimenting?  It's interesting seeing Higuchi at #2, given she's been essentially a life long #6.  I'd assume she'd drop down below Blake and Arbuthnott, but does anyone have insight?

I am not reading much into this lineup as far as what it means for the season. Higuchi at #2 feels like a reward for a loyal player (not sure if she's ever played a singles match on a stadium court in her career here before), not a realistic projection of where she'll be this year (heck, I don't think Higuchi should really be in the singles lineup at all, given the talent everywhere else in the lineup that's younger with a higher ceiling). Let's see what things look like next week as we get into conference play, but even then, Utah/Colorado could see us throw some non-standard lineups, so I'd wait and see what we look like against ASU the following week. That's the first gut check moment of what Lele thinks our top 6 really is.

THAT SAID, here's what I'm reading into the lineup/results:

* Choy above Shin doesn't feel like an experiment, given that they were 4-5 the other way last year. Maybe a data point that Lele is noticing Shin's regression/failure to develop and is slotting her accordingly? 
* Excited to see Geller at 3 and hopeful for what that might mean. Even more excited to see her be the first one off court with a dominant win. 
* Houghton with her first career clincher! Love it. 
* Geller being above Houghton (and three lines above her, to boot) suggests Lele sees Geller as clearly ahead. 
* There's gonna be rust. So, the fact that Choy and Shin aren't running away with their second sets isn't a big deal, but I do want to see them respond and turn on the jets. The talent differential is so big that there's no excuse for not pulling away here.

I agree with pretty much all of what you said, Higuchi early on was a great #6, but I think the college game has passed her standing as a dominate automatic point there, and I think we might have 6 or 7 better players.  I did like seeing Geller at #3, and read that to mean she's impressed so far.  I a bit worried our Junior class, Choy and Madurawe may not ever be big contributors, hopefully I wrong there.  Blake seemed like she had the potential to be a legit blue chipper in the college ranks, but again only time will tell.