Toledo Men's Tennis

[Doubles]

I know Toledo isn't exactly a tennis powerhouse in the MAC, but they have been having a great season, and and the #1 has won 39(!!) consecutive matches. He has two wins over Big 10 opponents and had a DNF against Ohio State. I probably wouldn't put any money on the team making a big splash at NCAA's (assuming they win conference), but I'd love to see the #1 play against a few other top players.

Toledo Takes Down Reigning MAC Champion Western Michigan 6-1 - University of Toledo Athletics

Pawit Sornlaksup extends winning streak to 39 matches as Rockets defeat the Broncos for first time under Head Coach Al Wermer

utrockets.com

 

[andfor]

I know Toledo isn't exactly a tennis powerhouse in the MAC, but they have been having a great season, and and the #1 has won 39(!!) consecutive matches. He has two wins over Big 10 opponents and had a DNF against Ohio State. I probably wouldn't put any money on the team making a big splash at NCAA's (assuming they win conference), but I'd love to see the #1 play against a few other top players.

Toledo Takes Down Reigning MAC Champion Western Michigan 6-1 - University of Toledo Athletics

Pawit Sornlaksup extends winning streak to 39 matches as Rockets defeat the Broncos for first time under Head Coach Al Wermer

utrockets.com

Very cool. Hope their #1 stays and that Toledo tennis has continued success. Love seeing the mid-majors compete well against P5's and top ranked teams.

 

[Doubles]

Very cool. Hope their #1 stays and that Toledo tennis has continued success. Love seeing the mid-majors compete well against P5's and top ranked teams.

Not sure what his elligibility is, but he is listed as a junior, so hopefully he'll come back for another year. Lot's of upperclassmen in the starting lineup currently.

 

[jcgatennismom]

I know Toledo isn't exactly a tennis powerhouse in the MAC, but they have been having a great season, and and the #1 has won 39(!!) consecutive matches. He has two wins over Big 10 opponents and had a DNF against Ohio State. I probably wouldn't put any money on the team making a big splash at NCAA's (assuming they win conference), but I'd love to see the #1 play against a few other top players.

Toledo Takes Down Reigning MAC Champion Western Michigan 6-1 - University of Toledo Athletics

Pawit Sornlaksup extends winning streak to 39 matches as Rockets defeat the Broncos for first time under Head Coach Al Wermer

utrockets.com

Thanks for sharing-I looked into this more because it is interesting to hear occasionally about successes outside P5. The 39 straight wins is a bit misleading; on the ITA schedule he is 26-3 in singles with losses in fall to Fenty of Michigan, Strom of Arizona-2 tough matches but also a 4,0 loss to a 12.56 . Maybe he has won 39 consecutive dual season matches split over 2 seasons, but the toughest matches he played were probably in the fall. He has only completed matches vs three 13+ in his last 30 college matches, and lost badly to two of them. Maybe he will have a career trajectory similar to Jannik Optiz who played #1 for Western Michigan, had an ITA ranking, UTR of low 13 and finished in the R16 of ******* Regionals. Pawit's best win was vs a 13.02 beating a player from Columbia in the 1st rd of All American Qualifying. While he has won a lot of matches, he has not played the toughest schedule (compared to even a P5 number 5 or 6). Most of his opponents were in the 11.5-12.5 range and he lost to 2 of those. He lost in the 1st rd of Qualis at the Lansing Future to a 12.5. (He did earn an ATP point in Thailand but he beat a 12.12 in R32-at a lot of US Futures, players may have to beat a 13-13.8 in the final rd of Qualis just to get in MD). He obviously is a very talented midmajor player but usually there are a couple of good ******* MM players each year-for example the Xavier guy who beat Kingsley in straights one year. If he stays at Toledo, hopefully he can fit in Futures in Lansing and Columbus. Until he wins a MD match or at least qualifies for MD, he probably isnt ready to transfer to a top P5-he could play for a midtier P5. His wins over Big 10 opponents were vs weak Purdue and Indiana, and he lost the 1st set 1-6 in the DNF match vs OSU. There is also a good chance he would stay where he is at because he probably is close to a full ride where he is which he wouldnt get at a P5 with at UTR 13. The scholarship issue is one reason why you might see US 5 stars or equivalent level internationals who could play 4-6 at a P5 playing MM because it could save them up to $100K or more.

The big test will be if Toledo wins MAC championship and gets to play NCAAs probably vs Kentucky or OSU 1st round. If he brings his A game, maybe he will get a set but probably not finish before the #1 seed clinches. If he brings his B or lower game, he could lose fast. Best way for him to improve is to keep playing US Futures, get in some MDs, and have the opportunity to finish more matches vs UTR 13+ (WTN 3.5-4s).

 

[Doubles]

This past weekend UT won the MAC for the first time in 50 years. Doubtful they will win a round in the team tournament, but as a fan, this has been an enjoyable year.

 

[jcgatennismom]

This past weekend UT won the MAC for the first time in 50 years. Doubtful they will win a round in the team tournament, but as a fan, this has been an enjoyable year.

Congrats. Probably the team will play Michigan in 1st rd-will u go? (Slight chance of OSU but that will probably be Horizon league winner spot unless Belmont wins which would likely be Kentucky). Most 4 seeds playing 1 seeds lose 0-4 but that doesnt mean there are no competitive lines-those lines just dont finish. Occasionally the 4 seed will win 1 point-usually dubs. There is a slight chance Toledo could end up a 3 seed depending on how NCAA decides travel. I think one year Navy was a 3 seed when the team was more in 4 seed range 2 vs 3 would be closer but still tough. I remember when WMU was dominant in MAC. Hope the team has a fun experience; unlike basketball there really arent Cinderella stories, but just getting to the Dance is a win!

Does anyone know the most points a 4 seed has earned vs a 1 seed in NCAA tennis in the last decade?
Update: just checked 2014-22 (not played 2020): No 4 seed won more than 1 pt. Number of 4 seeds (out of 16) that earned 1 pt each year: 2022: 1 (Navy vs UNC) 2021: 4, 2019: 1 2018:2 2017:0 2016:2 2015:1 2014 0

 

[LOBALOT]

My son played one of those Toledo guys several times in juniors, etc. and he has hit/knows a few guys on Ball State and they are really good players and they beat them as well.

Maybe that will give me a reason to visit in addition to our usual trip to Tony Packo's and the Mud Hens.

 

[andfor]

This past weekend UT won the MAC for the first time in 50 years. Doubtful they will win a round in the team tournament, but as a fan, this has been an enjoyable year.

Congratulations! Doesn't matter how they do this time. I hope you have a chance to see them play in the tournament.

Hopefully the coach can build on their success.