Around The USCAA – 4/17/17
Around the USCAA is a weekly article that highlights current happenings, key matchups, and relevant news stories from across the association. If you have a relevant news piece that you would like considered for inclusion please send it to info@theuscaa.com.
Bluefield State’s Regional Win Streak Ends at 83
Stanton, VA- The Big Blues Atlantic Region win streak has been snapped at 83. For the 1st time in 5 years the Big Blues have come up on the losing end of a Regional Match, falling to Chowan in a highly contested match 5-4.
83 straight Regional match victories is no short feat. Coach Belt and the Big Blues have performed extremely well in the Atlantic Region, rolling past the competition for the past 5 seasons.
The one weakness for the Big Blues this season has been their doubles play, as they really have not been able to come away with 2 or 3 doubles points for much of the season. Chowan had two gutty performances at the 1 and 2 doubles, winning highly contested matches. At the #2 doubles, Chowan was able to edge out Anthony Braem and Giorgi Datashvili 9-7 to secure the 2nd point. Platon Gud and Guillermo Cortez-Lopez were able to get the lone win in doubles, winning 8-2.
The Big Blues were not able to make up the hole from the doubles matches, splitting the singles competition with Chowan. Three matches went into decisive 3rd sets, with Chowan winning 2 of those 3 matches. Alexandr Rudenco's watch was a back and forth affair with him winning in the sets, 7-5, 6-7, 10-7. Ignacio Pulido was finally able to play after being sidelined with injury for the past couple of weeks. He rolled in his return, winning 6-3, 6-3.
Coach Belt and the Blues will now look to restart their Regional streak starting with NCAA Regionals at the end of April. The Big Blues will likely get a rematch against Chowan for a chance to go to the NCAA Tournament. BSC will now face NYIT in Washington D.C. before finishing their regular season against Bluefield College at home.
*Article courtesy Bluefield State Athletics website
Key Weekly Matchups
Baseball
4/19/17 – Eastern Nazarene at Dean College – 2:00 P.M. EST
4/20/17 – The Apprentice School at Virginia State – 1:00 P.M. EST
4/21/17 – WVU Tech at Asbury – 3:00 P.M. EST
4/22/17 – Cincinnati-Clermont at Robert Morris-Peoria – 12:00 P.M. EST
Softball
4/17/17 – Penn State Schuylkill at Penn State Hazleton – 2:00 P.M. EST
4/20/17 – Madonna University at Cleary University – 5:00 P.M. EST
4/21/17 – Missouri Baptist at St. Mary of the Woods – 3:00 P.M. EST
4/22/17 – Southern Maine CC at NHTI– 12:00 P.M. EST