2014 ITA Division 1 Women's National Indoors

[Nostradamus]

What a comeback by Duke. After that rough season last year, they sure did bounce back nicely. So ACC wins it two years in a row! Maybe our turn next year? Congratulations to Duke.

Surprise of the tournament to me was Florida losing to Northwestern. Once again Indoor team beats Outdoor team. Also with abbreviated super tiebreaker for 3rd set,,,,you even the odds. Another proof

 

[marco forehand]

Remember that Duke's #2 player was unable to play singles the last two matches. Everyone slid up, Duke lost in straight sets at 5 and 6, and they still won the match. Not sure that UCLA is "much better" than Duke.

Hey Clarke, I noticed that while the #2 player from the quarter final line up was pulled from the next two matches, everyone did not slide up a position. Mar stayed at 3, the number 4 player moved up to the #2 spot. The # 5 player stayed at 5 while the #6 player jumped up to 4. A new player was added at 6. The only explanation I can come up with is that the players rankings allowed Duke's coach to do this.
I am not calling foul, just curious to understand the rules.

Congratulations to Duke. They had a very tough season in 2013, they've showed how competitors respond to adversity. I say that as a confirmed anti Duke-ite!

 

[Nostradamus]

Hey Clarke, I noticed that while the #2 player from the quarter final line up was pulled from the next two matches, everyone did not slide up a position. Mar stayed at 3, the number 4 player moved up to the #2 spot. The # 5 player stayed at 5 while the #6 player jumped up to 4. A new player was added at 6. The only explanation I can come up with is that the players rankings allowed Duke's coach to do this.
I am not calling foul, just curious to understand the rules.

Congratulations to Duke. They had a very tough season in 2013, they've showed how competitors respond to adversity. I say that as a confirmed anti Duke-ite!

Hanna Mar is Moonballer's dream.. All you amateurs learn from her game. You can beat a player by moving them side to side,,,but that is NOT the only way...... Another way is moving the player UP and Back.

 

[marco forehand]

I've been watching Hanna for the past 5 years. This weekend she was mixing her spins as you noticed. Interestingly (to me at least), this is an updated version of her approach in juniors. However, for the last two years of collegiate play,she has been playing almost a serve and volley game (which is why she is on the #1 doubles court). She must have determined that the mix of topspin and slice worked well on the stadium courts at the Boar's Head Club.

 

[Nostradamus]

I've been watching Hanna for the past 5 years. This weekend she was mixing her spins as you noticed. Interestingly (to me at least), this is an updated version of her approach in juniors. However, for the last two years of collegiate play,she has been playing almost a serve and volley game (which is why she is on the #1 doubles court). She must have determined that the mix of topspin and slice worked well on the stadium courts at the Boar's Head Club.

LOL,,, Serve and volley game ?? She is Short,,tiny.....she must get lobbed easily. In doubles only ?? right ? Surely Not in singles....

 

[floridatennisdude]

Based on what? Wouldn't the player with the momentum who won the second set have the advantage most of the time in the third rather than the player who started well but was fading?

Sure, outcome very well could have been different with full third sets, we'll never know

But I'd say duke would have been favored in full third sets as well given their performances surging back in second sets

Noooooo! I've played enough usta tiebreaks to know that if I squeak out a first set that I shouldn't have, I can go ultra conservative in the 2nd and either let them give it away on errors or I can save myself for the 10 point race.

10 pointers are a separate skill and far different than a set. They do handicap the stronger player for sure.

 

[marco forehand]

My take on what is driving this (the format experimentation) is the need to "feed the beast". With the advent of conference centered digital channels, ADs need to come up with content, which means every sport needs to become friendlier to viewing on a screen.I would assume if a sport can't make that transition funding will reflect that.
I was at the Boar's Head Club. I went with a negative opinion of the format changes. I still dislike the rules regarding warm ups, and the change from 8 game pro sets.
The 10 point tie breaker in lieu of a third set added drama. There were a couple of matches that, despite a team leading 3 to 1, there was a real sense that this could go either way in a very short time.
I have to admit it was intriguing.

 

[TopDawg]

Here were the official rules regarding lineups for the Women's NTI - I saw Colette Lewis mention #1 which is why Duke was able to make the changes they did:

Line-up Substitution policy/Rules
1. All teams must play their master line-up two out of the first three matches of the Championship.
2. A singles player and/or doubles team may move one position up or down, but not both, from the master
line-up.
Example: Your #3 player can also play #2 or #4, but not both.
3. Once the match begins, if the line-up is changed due to injury, default or if the doubles is changed because the match has been decided, the master line-up will still be considered played.
4. A submitted line-up will not be considered the master line-up if it was not originally the master line-up but became that in the course of the match.
5. A submitted line-up qualifies as the master line-up as long as the players remain in rank order relative to the original master line-up. For example, if the #3 singles player is held out of play, and everyone moves up, the line-up would be considered the master line-up.
6. In doubles, you may direct line substitute for a sick/injured player as long as the teams are still playing in order of ability. The opposing coach may protest a doubles line-up if he/she feels they are not in order prior to the start of the match.
7. The on-site ITA Games Committee will have final ruling on all on-site protests.
8. Although rotating players is allowed, normal ITA line-up rules still apply: ITA Rule II.H.2."In singles, players
must compete in order of ability, the best player on the team playing at the No.1 position, the second best at No. 2 and so on through all positions. This rule shall also apply to doubles play with the strongest doubles team at No. 1, etc."