Men's Tennis 2016-2017

[vu72]

How else are we able to attract top flight tennis players (who are also good students and are willing to come to a fairly expensive private university) unless you have good courts (and the use of the local indoor complex).  I do not believe MT/WT or MG/WG  have the full compliment of scholarships, yet, at least on the men's side we are doing very well.  The difference between the men's and women's programs seems to be taht the women's programs hvaen't quite broken through on the recruiting front talent-wise.  But winning begets winning so keep it rolling men!

Clearly we have had some"luck" with athletes like Jeffrey Schorsch and in basketball a guy like Alec Peters.  Both were highly regarded coming out of high school but no on expected Alec to potentially be an NBA first rounder.

As for Jeffrey, he will end up being possibly the most highly decorated athlete in Valpo history as he already is the two time reigning Player of the Year and no doubt will be again this year.  He and his doubles partner, Charley Emhardt were national indoor runner-ups and posssibly could go on to play at the pro level.

I would hope (expect) them to win the conference tournament and go on to the NCAAs and, depending on draw, get a win in the first round.  They battled Northwestern last year and almost won as they did against Wisconsin earlier this year, losing 4-3.

[valpotx]

NCAA bound again!!  I don't know if anyone else watched, but we almost blew it.  We were up 3-0, with all 4 remaining singles matches going to a third set.  We lose the next 3 to take it to 3-3, and Dunn saves us yet again (just like against YSU yesterday), by winning in a match tiebreaker 7-6 (6-4)!  He was up 5-1 in that match tiebreaker, but Malm ran off 3 points to make it 5-4, before Dunn placed a perfect shot on the other side of the court to win.  That was pretty nerve-wracking to watch, so I can only imagine this kid's guts to do this in back-to-back days.

[IndyValpo]

I came in during the last match, very exciting. I am curious how many Valpo were there. They made a lot of noise. Congrats on their last HL title, perhaps...

[vu72]

Valpo gets Michigan in the first round.  Michigan finished second in the BIG. They beat Wisconsin 4-0, a team we lost to 4-3.  Still, in tennis you never know.  We beat two teams 7-0 that we beat in our tourney 4-3.  Should be tough but doable.

[vu72]

Very cool that the tennis team get to play at Stanford.  Wonder how surprised the administration was when they found out they would have to transport the team to California!  Sure beats playing at Northwestern like last year.

[VULB#62]

I think the NCAA picks up travel costs.  Maybe.   

[bbtds]

Compared to Michigan how many Valpo fans will be at the NCAA tennis event at Stanford? 25 to 1? More or less?

[vu72]

Compared to Michigan how many Valpo fans will be at the NCAA tennis event at Stanford? 25 to 1? More or less?

I'd guess 9 to 1 seeing that Michigan has north of 540,000 alumni and we have about 60,000.  They are gaining on us at an alarming rate too!   

[valpo tundra]

There were around 50-60 Valpo fans at the conference championship match.  A fantastic atmosphere and the calmest player on the team helped produce the win in a third set tiebreaker.  Valpo's top recruit next year (high 4 star from Detroit) also enjoyed the win in person.  Valpo will compete head on with Michigan and is confident for a victory.  Stanford, however, is a big step up.  Match against Michigan will be Friday May 12 at 1:00 CST. Valpo will be in the Summit League for Mens Tennis next year which will include high quality programs in Denver and Drake.

[valpotx]

It will be interesting to see what conference our Men's Tennis team plays in going forward.  I do hope that they find a home, and maybe someday, there will be enough MVC teams to get the sport started again.

[vu72]

Today's the day!  Valpo v. Michigan.  Watch it live.  Check it out on the Valpo athletics page.  1 Central.

[talksalot]

http://streamingtennis.com/Cardinal/?DB_OEM_ID=30600

to save you the effort

[talksalot]

Valpo goes up 1-0 the match at #1 Doubles

UMich serving for Match the up 5-3 at #2
UMich up 5 at #3, Valpo on serve hoping to extend the match

[talksalot]

and UMich wins at #3... so Valpo breaks at #2, to make is 5-4, Crusaders on serve to extend the match.

[talksalot]

Blue takes the doubles point...
Valpo wins first set at #3, #4 and #5
Blus wins first set at #1, #2 and #6... Schorsch loses 6-3, down a break in the second set

[talksalot]

Blue wins at #2 and #6... to go up 3-0

Bacalla down 5-3 in the third set... Hua serving for the Match.
Schorsch up 5-3 in the third set... can he get the point before Hua gets the 4th point for Blue.

[talksalot]

and Hua wins it 3-6, 6-0, 6-3... and Michigan beats Valpo 4-0

[a3uge]

Dumb question, but are there individual champions as well?

[vu72]

Dumb question, but are there individual champions as well?

Not a these events as they are to determine the NCAA team championship.  The individual and doubles championships will be coming up at the end of May.  Our guys, Jeffrey and Charlie will again be playing for the National Doubles Championships after finishing runner-up in the Indoors.  Jeffrey Schorsch, is undoubtedly a first able member of the Valpo Hall of Fame after being named Horizon League Player of the Year, three straight years.

Congrats to him and the rest of the team on a fantastic and record breaking year.   

[agibson]

Dumb question, but are there individual champions as well?

It seems like they suspend play as soon as the team match as decided, to boot.

Which is kind of too bad. For example, it seemed (only watching the box score) like Schorsch had a chance at #1 singles. I don't think things were _quite_ as one-sided as a 4-0 final might suggest.

[vu72]

Dumb question, but are there individual champions as well?

It seems like they suspend play as soon as the team match as decided, to boot.

Which is kind of too bad. For example, it seemed (only watching the box score) like Schorsch had a chance at #1 singles. I don't think things were _quite_ as one-sided as a 4-0 final might suggest.

I agree.  Many time matches are not concluded once a team gets to 4..  Probably would have been something like 5-2.. If we had won the double point (lost 7-5 in the second match), it could have been even closer.  We went up a set in four of the six singles matches.  They all went to three sets as did Jeffrey's.

[vu72]

Schorsch and Emhardt do it again!  They beat #9 ranked Texas A & M duo, 7-6, 6-7, 11-9!!  Talk about an even match!  On to the second round for the 41st ranked doubles team!!!

[VULB#62]

 

These two have grit!  Lots of it.

[vu72]

Look, if we were ranked 41st in basketball we would be pretty pleased.  If that 41st ranked team beat the #9 team were would be drunk!  Drink up, it just happened and we aren't done yet!!!   

[bbtds]

If that 41st ranked team beat the #9 team were would be drunk!

Are you sure you haven't had a few brews tonight in honor of our record breaking tennis duo? ? ? Sounds like the right thing to do!!!!

Let's all get intoxicated for our great tennis duo this weekend!!!!

WERE WOULD BE DRUNK!!!!!







Go get 'em boyz!!!!


This one's for you!!







(a place close to VU)