Ohio State Men's Tennis (2014/2019/2024 ITA Indoor National Champs, 17 Straight B1G Titles)

[LitlBuck]

Do not look now but Indiana just took the doubles point and all the singles matches are very tight but early.

 

[HINYG8]

Not off to a good start. IU takes the doubles point. The good news is our guys have been here before and have shown they can come back.

Looking good early in the singles matches. Kobelt, Stein, Callahan each up with an early break. Others on serve.

EDIT: Pollanen now also up a break, Diaz down a break. Need four...leading in four.

 

[LitlBuck]

Looking good early in the singles matches. Kobelt, Stein, Callahan each up with an early break. Others on serve.

EDIT: Pollanen now also up a break, Diaz down a break. Need four...leading in four.

Yup, Tucker must of had a talk with a few of the guys. Diaz is our sacrificial lamb. He should not be playing #2 singles but somebody has to

 

[gracelhink]

Kobelt and Steinbach take first sets

 

[gracelhink]

Yup, Tucker must of had a talk with a few of the guys. Diaz is our sacrificial lamb. He should not be playing #2 singles but somebody has to

Diaz was huge for the Bucks win at Notre Dame.
He had a straight set win over Monaghen who has some big wins this year.

 

[HINYG8]

Kobelt, Callahan and Stein all won their first set. Pollanen serving and up 4-2. Diaz and Metka both down a break in their first sets.

 

[gracelhink]

Somewhat surprised that Tucker switched Steinbach and Metka.
Metka dropped his first set.
Diaz trying to break to get back on serve, though Chris breaks serve easily, but can give the breaks back also.
Stienbach breaks early in the 2nd set.

 

[LitlBuck]

Diaz was huge for the Bucks win at Notre Dame.
He had a straight set win over Monaghen who has some big wins this year.

I still stand by my statement.

 

[HINYG8]

Stein is on cruise control. Diaz broke back to get on serve. So far so good....

 

[buckeyeintn]

I still stand by my statement.

The sacrificial lamb ties his first set 4-4. Not saying you are wrong, but he is a battler.

 

[gracelhink]

I still stand by my statement.

I agree with you, no question that in the scrimmages after a clearly dominant Peter Kobelt the team has no clear #2, Diaz will take a lot of L's because he has been the best vs. the rest of the team....
however, I have to be careful about some assessments because there are some ethical considerations about lineup stacking.
Two years ago, Tucker was accused of "stacking the lineup" because he played Peter Kobelt at #3 singles.
Kobe was seen as the sacrificial lamb, behind Rola and Chase Buchanan.
That all ended when Kobelt scored the upset of the year over a highly ranked Mitchell Frank of UVa.
The soft #2 may pad the results of the rest of the lineup, but have to be clear that Diaz is the 2nd best player on the roster.

 

[HINYG8]

Koblelt keeps stretching Monette's serve to deuce in #1 singles, but hasn't manage to get a break in the second yet. Feels inevitable. Diaz up 4-3 in a first set tie breaker (6-6). Would be a huge set win.

EDIT...wish we had video of Diaz on #2 singles..epic battle going on.

EDIT II: Diaz wins the first!

 

[gracelhink]

Steinbach serving to win the 2nd set and the #5 line.
Diaz claims the first set in a TB

 

[HINYG8]

Kobelt has the ball but in a hole 40-15. Need a rally to hold serve....

 

[gracelhink]

Fr. Steinbach puts the Bucks on the board!