I’ll gladly take a solid 6/8 correct on Day 1 with one match going 4-3 and the other a match I thought would be as tight as it could get.
I think the story of the day was how competitive doubles was for nearly every match. Three of the eight doubles points were decided by a tiebreaker (Vanderbilt/Duke, Ohio State/Fresno State and Virginia/Texas A&M). With the 6-game, no-ad scoring format, does doubles have the same psychological effect on teams after a close point? Jonathan Kelley from On The Rise is covering the event for ZooTennis and you can read his recap with quotes here.
Someone in the comments pointed out how Florida, Stanford, USC and Baylor elected to skip the NTI to schedule their own tough matches and prepare differently for the off-season. Should teams who skip be penalized come NCAA seeding time and does it put an asterisk next to the champion’s name? Feel free to discuss in the comments.
(1)#1 Vanderbilt def. #15 Duke 4-0
I’m a little surprised that Vanderbilt put a clinic on Duke in singles. After a tight doubles point, Vanderbilt took 5 opening sets and took it to another level. Sydney Campbell’s win over Beatrice Capra wasn’t an upset on paper, but it’s a statement win for the Commodore seeking to be among the nation’s best. Chalena Scholl was a point from a UTR upset against Frances Altick, who was swapped with Astra Sharma in the lineup, but the match was called before the junior could grab one of the biggest wins of her collegiate career. Vanderbilt will need another quick start against Ohio State to push them forward in the tournament.
Vanderbilt vs. Duke
1. #11 Colton/Campbell (VAN) vs. #26 Capra/Hamlin (DUKE), 6-1
2. Sharma/Yates (VAN) def. Harris/McCarthy (DUKE), 7-6(7-1)
3. Scholl/Smith (DUKE) def. Altick/Sellyn (VAN), 6-3
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2*
2. #33 Astra Sharma (VAN, 11.26 UTR) def. #29 Kaitlyn McCarthy (DUKE, 11.66 UTR), 6-4, 6-2
3. #79 Chalena Scholl (DUKE, 10.56 UTR) #15 Frances Altick (VAN, 11.68 UTR), 6-3, 5-3, unfinished
4. Courtney Colton (VAN, 11.07 UTR) def. Samantha Harris (DUKE, 10.87 UTR), 6-4, 6-4
5. Georgina Sellyn (VAN, 10.05 UTR) vs. #70 Ellyse Hamlin (DUKE, 11.21 UTR), 6-2, 4-6, 1-0, unfinished
6. Ellie Yates (VAN, 10.17 UTR) vs. Jessica Ho (DUKE, 10.26 UTR), 6-4, 4-4, unfinished
The doubles point of the day by far goes to the Fresno State Bulldogs, who saved a combined 9 match points in the Top 2 positions to claim the first get of the match. Unfortunately, Ohio State stormed back by taking 5 of the 6 first sets and quickly went up 3-1 before Sophie Watts took the match at No.2 singles. Anna Sanford, whose younger sister had a stellar run at the $100k ITF event in Midland this week, clinched the match at No.3. Miho Kowase was a game from clinching as well when play was called off. For the Buckeyes to have any chance against Vanderbilt, a positive start with the doubles point is crucial.
Ohio State vs. Fresno State
1. Sherif Ahmed/Sherif Ahmed (FSU) def. #6 Sanford/Kowase (OSU), 7-6(11-9)
2. #58 Watts/Watts (FSU) def. DeSantis/Angeles Paz (OSU), 7-5
3. Sneed/DiLorenzo (FSU) def. Malysheva/Noble (FSU), 6-3
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1*
2. Sophie Watts (FSU, 10.18 UTR) def. Gabriella DeSantis (OSU, 10.31 UTR), 6-3, 6-3
3. Anna Sanford (OSU, 10.62 UTR) def. Rana Sherif Ahmed (FSU, 9.69 UTR), 7-6(7-2), 6-1
4. Miho Kowase (OSU, 10.37 UTR) vs. Galina Bykova (FSU, 9.92 UTR), 6-2, 5-4, unfinished
5. Ferny Angeles Paz (OSU, 10.61 UTR) def. Emma Wilson (FSU, 9.34 UTR), 6-3, 6-0
6. Olivia Sneed (OSU, 9.85 UTR) def. Anneka Watts (FSU, 9.35 UTR), 6-2, 6-2
Order of Finish: 5, 6, 1, 2, 3*
I assumed that this match would be one of the least competitive of the Round of 16, but I was pleasantly surprised with how Wisconsin competed. Lauren Chypyha rose to the occasion and was leading #5 Manasse before play was called. Stepanova also battled hard in her second set after getting blown out in the first. Unfortunately, that was all that highlighted the Badger’s first NTI outing in front of their home crowd as Cal steamrolled in the middle of the singles lineup. Tomorrow’s match vs. Virginia will be a tall task for the Bears and their hunt towards a National title.
1. #3 Manasse/Starr (CAL) def. Chypyha/Kirsch (WIS), 6-2
2. #43 Fabikova/Hauger (CAL) def. Rider/Stepanova (WIS), 6-3
3. Chi/Smith (CAL) def. Burich/Grambeau (WIS), 5-3, unfinished
Order of Finish: 1, 2*
2. #10 Klara Fabikova (CAL, 11.40 UTR) vs. Ekaterina Stepanova (WIS, 10.01 UTR), 6-0, 4-5, unfinished
3. Lynn Chi (CAL, 11.25 UTR) def. Kendall Kirsch (WIS, 9.87 UTR), 6-3, 6-1
4. Denise Starr (CAL, 11.23 UTR) def. Maria Avgerinos (WIS, 9.77 UTR), 6-1, 6-1
5. #81 Olivia Hauger (CAL, 11.01 UTR) def. Sydney Rider (WIS, 8.96 UTR), 6-1, 6-1
6. Karla Popovic (CAL, 10.60 UTR) vs. Lauren Burich (WIS, 8.92 UTR), 6-1, 4-1, unfinished
Order of Finish: 4, 5, 3*
Virginia put up a surprisingly solid test against Texas A&M, who can surprise any team on any day. Although they’re missing two key players due to suspension, the Cavaliers still managed to snatch five of the opening sets in singles and storm away with the win. It’s worth noting that Danielle Collins, someone who struggles indoors, battled back from 6-1, 3-0 down to win the second set and force a third until play was called. Julia Elbaba handled the awkward situation of playing a former teammate well and pushed out Rachel Pierson to claim the first singles point. Meghan Kelley announced her return to the lineup by clinching the win at No.5 and putting UVA in the quarterfinals against Cal.
2. Elbaba/Nauta (UVA) def. Bhosale/Mamalat (TAMU), 7-6(7-5)
3. Gavrilovska/Gonzalez def. Olivarez/Wingo (UVA), 6-4
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2*
1. #4 Danielle Collins (UVA, 12.10 UTR) vs. #53 Saska Gavrilovska (TAMU, 11.15 UTR), 1-6, 7-5, 1-0, unfinished
2. #8 Julia Elbaba (UVA, 11.78 UTR) def. #58 Rachel Pierson (TAMU, 10.77 UTR), 6-2, 6-4
3. #30 Stephanie Nauta (UVA, 10.94 UTR) def. #106 Rutuja Bhosale (TAMU, 10.72 UTR), 6-4, 6-1
4. Eva Paalma (TAMU, 10.21 UTR) def. Victoria Olivarez (UVA, 10.06 UTR), 6-3, 6-3
5. Meghan Kelley (UVA, 10.22 UTR) vs. Domenica Gonzalez (TAMU, 10.54 UTR), 7-5, 6-2
6. Erica Susi (UVA, 10.10 UTR) def. Ines Deheza (TAMU, 10.55 UTR), 7-6(7-4), 1-3, unfinished
(3)#5 North Carolina def. #13 Alabama 4-0
As I mentioned in yesterday’s preview, the lineup of North Caroline is just too strong for a team like Alabama. UNC’s doubles, one of the nation’s best, shined against the Crimson Tide and led to a strong finish in singles. Hayley Carter was the player of the match, clinching both doubles and singles points and dropping only 6 games total. Whitney Kay also had a strong match in singles, leading Andie Daniell before UNC captured the victory. The Tar Heels are looking very good to at least make the championship match and their quarterfinal against LSU will have a few hiccups, but they will march on.
1. #2 Carter/Kay (UNC) def. #48 Routliffe/Daniell (BAMA), 6-2
2. #16 Aney/Vialle (UNC) def. Spielmann/Savva (BAMA), 6-0
3. Dai/Ouellet-Pizer (UNC) vs. Dunn/Greene (BAMA), 5-3, unfinished
Order of Finish: 2, 1*
1. #6 Hayley Carter (UNC, 11.73 UTR) def. #63 Erin Routliffe (BAMA, 10.85 UTR), 6-1, 6-3
2. #88 Whitney Kay (UNC, 10.76 UTR) vs. #41 Andie Daniell (BAMA, 11.34 UTR), 6-2, 3-4, unfinished
3. Kate Vialle (UNC, 10.54 UTR) vs. Joanna Savva (BAMA, 9.69 UTR), 6-4, 3-2, unfinished
4. #68 Jessie Aney (UNC, 11.20 UTR) def. Danielle Spielmann (BAMA, 10.58 UTR), 6-0, 6-3
5. Marika Akkerman (UNC, 10.81 UTR) vs. Natalia Maynetto (BAMA, 10.03 UTR), 6-6, unfinished
6. #112 Chloe Ouellet-Pizer (UNC, 10.58 UTR) def. Aryn Greene (BAMA, 8.89 UTR), 6-2, 6-2
Order of Finish: 4, 6, 1*
The first match of the day was the only one to go to the complete distance and ended in the first upset of the tournament. Oklahoma State unsurprisingly took the doubles point, but LSU retaliated by snagging five opening sets. The match that ultimately decided the match was Ryann Foster’s win over Kelsey Laurente, which completed first. The rest of the match remained in tight contention and it began to be known that it would be decided at No.6 singles. Tur Mari served for the second set, but Taylor bounced back by breaking the Cowgirl serve consecutively to put the Tigers into a surprise quarterfinal.
While the doubles point went down to the wire, all three matches were whitewashes for the winner. However, the opposite could be said for the singles matches. Miami took the momentum when they captured 3 opening sets and the first two singles points. Freshman Brienne Minor stunned Stephanie Wagner to tie things at 2-2. Ronit Yurovsky battled back from a set down to upset Sinead Lohan and clinch the win for the Wolverines, who clearly clearly showed how seasoned they are indoors compared to a team like Miami. Michigan’s quarterfinal against Georgia could be just as close and exciting as their match against the Hurricanes. The big question mark is the bottom of the lineup (for both teams), as well as who can manage their doubles better.
Quarterfinals
No. 2 Georgia def. Michigan, 4-0
No. 3 North Carolina def. LSU 4-0
Virginia def. No. 4 California 4-3
Consolation Draw
No. 5 Texas A&M def. Wisconsin 4-1
No. 7 Miami (FL) def. Texas Tech 4-1
Duke def. Fresno State 4-0
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