US College Signings 2017 (and general college tennis chat)

Oakland2002 · All-time great

US College Signings 2017 (and general college tennis chat)

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

I have to say I was very surprised to see Emily playing so low - 4 x dual matches, 1 at 6 and 3 at 5. I expected to see her initially at 3, or 4 at the lowest. Of course it may be that there is something going on behind the scenes that we are not aware of - an ongoing niggle, a period off with injury (think she retired in her last match of the Autumn), stressed from academics etc etc. Or it may just be that the coach genuinely feels this is the best position at this point in the season for Emily and the team. Whatever, I shall be amazed if she stays at that point in the lineup much longer.

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, could be quite a number of reasons for Emily's current positioning.

Whatever, I find it difficult to think that they have underestimated Emily. I thought they looked into their players in some depth before they arrive and clearly since. The coaches at Stanford must know what they've got.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Indoor Team Championships QF

#3 Ohio State bt #12 Oklahoma State 4-0

1. #2 Michael Torpegaard (Ohio State) (345 CH=335) bt Julian Cash (Oklahoma State) 6-1, 6-1

Dubs

1. #5 Julian Cash / Arjun Kadhe (Oklahoma State) led #38 Mikael Torpegaard / Herkko Polanen (Ohio State) 5-4 susp

-- Edited by The Optimist on Sunday 19th of February 2017 04:33:25 PM

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Added Nick B to the list on P1

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

the addict wrote:
Another snippet picked up from Twitter for you - this time concerning Holly Hutchinson, who is on a roll at ODU

wtkr.com/2017/02/17/hoos-next-to-take-on-the-red-hot-lady-monarchs-tennis-team/

(very brief interview in the video)

Unfortunately Old Dominion lost to Virginia 5-0. Holly played at line 2 and was beaten by Rosie Johanson (CH=830 JCH=122) 6-3, 6-2. Played at line 1 in dubs but Holly and her partner went down 6-4

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Old Dominion have had a very good start and should be congratulated by everyone but Mr Trunp on their worldwide search for talent, the entire squad is Eastern European bar Holly but Virginia are in a differently league both literally and metaphorically. Virginia have a very high profile as an Athletic powerhouse and draw five star blue chip indigenous recruits by the handful! A number daughters of professional athletes, indeed Chloe Gulickson's sister one of many C's is a grand slam winner!

There are obvious advantages for Holly, by playing at OD she is already playing No 2 and up against some quality opponents, ideal personally for her in terms of her development. They will be very competitive in conference USA but it is still C-USA and there are relatively few teams with deep rosters of players so it is when playing out of conference that she will be really tested.

Rice are generally very strong in c-USA but it was interesting that Emily Smith moved to Vandy, an equally prestigious academic institution but offering a better standard of conference play in the SEC and now to be joined by another top 10 (ITF) junior in Emily Appleton later this year. There really is a big difference in standards between the conferences as outlined by Tennessee's comprehensive win (the second leg of a double header) after OD had been battering teams 7-0 in conference.

the addict · Tennis legend

Thanks, Oakland, for all the detailled background. Having watched and met some of these girls at Felixstowe last year, I am following their progress with interest.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

I'm not sure Emily Smith moved to Vanderbilt in search of better tennis. I've heard (though I may be wrong) that she just never felt settled at Rice and decided to move on and try somewhere new. It does happen and not always due to problems (as in the case of the girls at Long Beach State) but simply as a result of a bad fit. Just like when you take what seems the dream job but in reality it just isn't right.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I have absolutely no idea why Emily moved but regard less I do think it is a win, win. Academically both institutions are very well regarded, Nashville is a fun city, the SEC is one of the top arguably the top athletic conference in the US and well even though Rice is in a lovely spot, 4 years in Houston is an acquired taste, and that comes from somebody who likes Detroit so probably an opinion not worth the virtual space it was written in.

Vandy will however will be fun to follow with plenty of British interest.

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Sunday 19th of February 2017 05:30:54 PM

the addict · Tennis legend

ODU beat UPENN 4-3 today - Holly played 1 & 1 and won both

Oakland2002 · All-time great

UPenn are Ivy League and therefore recruiting from quite a narrow pool of athletes, i.e. the athletes are recruited only after achieving excellent grades in HS, there is no redshirting, you do 4 academic yrs at college and leave no hanging around to play longer.

The more testing matches will be Virginia Tech (ACC) and the Big 12 schools , Oklahoma and Baylor. Plenty in between to keep spirits up.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Latest rankings:

Women

49 - Emily Arbuthnott - Stanford

68 - Holly Hutchinson - Old Dominion

Dubs

19 - Kim Schmider - Indiana-Bloomington

23 - Sabrina Federici - Texas Tech

24 - Georgie Axon - Auburn

32 - Emily Smith - Vanderbilt

Men

18 - Julian Cash - Oklahoma State

19 - Cameron Norrie - Texas Christian

55 - Vinny Gillespie - Drake

64 - Jack Findel-Hawkins - North Florida

82 - Andrew Watson - Memphis

110 - Sebastian Rey - Tulane

122 - Ryan Peniston - Memphis

Dubs

3 - Jack Findel-Hawkins - North Florida

4 - Julian Cash - Oklahoma State

5 - Jathan Malik - Michigan

12 - Tommy Bennett - Rice

38 - Max Andrews - Miami-Florida

59 - Sebastian Rey - Tulane

Jaffa · Challenger level

Will beinteresting to see Julian Cash in action when he finishes college. Seemingly doing well but I don't know anything about him?!

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

He was quite a strong junior ITF 68 from the Brighton area. Nice lad but IMO suffered a little from big-fish-small-pond syndrome! Physically as a junior quite tall but not at all beefy (as is the case with many tall male juniors) and I believe he was heavily recruited by several strong colleges. Only stayed at his first choice, Mississippi State, for one year. Think he may have had some injuries there as there were periods when he didn't play. At number 6 in the singles lineup there (1 in dubs) but now playing 1 at Oklahoma. He's the kind of guy college is ideal for - great player really needing a bit of time to grow up mentally and develop physically.