[BostonCard]

If I'm Emma Higuchi, I think I call it a career (or grad transfer to have tennis pay for a grad program somewhere). If Arbuthnott comes back, the odds that Higuchi stays in the lineup are very slim with Houghton and Geller coming in. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised to see Shin fall out of the lineup, with Choy, Madurawe, and Houghton all climbing above her. 



If Arbuthnott comes back, I think we're looking at a singles lineup as follows: (1) Gordon; (2) Blake; (3) Arbuthnott; (4) Choy; (5) Houghton; and (6) Shin. That said, if Madurawe or Geller vaulted Shin, I wouldn't be shocked. Blake over Arbuthnott might be a reach, but Blake was so good at #3 this year as a freshman, and I think she's only going to get better. Of course, those leaps in form come from matches and tournaments and training. If you're stuck at home and can't practice or play tournaments, how much can you really improve?

At first glance a lineup that pushes Higuchi (and maybe even Shin) as the odd lady out would look pretty strong, especially at the bottom. My sense is that UNC's phenoms were pretty young so they would probably be the favorites(?) but the line-up you are quoting should be good for a top-4.  I mean, we won a national title with Gordon at #1 as a sophomore, Arbuthnott at the 3 as a Junior, and Shin at 5 and Higuchi at 6.  Not sure Blake is a better 2 than Lord, or that Choy is a better 4 than Arbuthnott, but 5 and 6 were already near automatic wins for us last year, so to see an upgrade at those two positions bodes well.

BC

[BostonCard]

If I'm Emma Higuchi, I think I call it a career (or grad transfer to have tennis pay for a grad program somewhere). If Arbuthnott comes back, the odds that Higuchi stays in the lineup are very slim with Houghton and Geller coming in. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised to see Shin fall out of the lineup, with Choy, Madurawe, and Houghton all climbing above her. 



If Arbuthnott comes back, I think we're looking at a singles lineup as follows: (1) Gordon; (2) Blake; (3) Arbuthnott; (4) Choy; (5) Houghton; and (6) Shin. That said, if Madurawe or Geller vaulted Shin, I wouldn't be shocked. Blake over Arbuthnott might be a reach, but Blake was so good at #3 this year as a freshman, and I think she's only going to get better. Of course, those leaps in form come from matches and tournaments and training. If you're stuck at home and can't practice or play tournaments, how much can you really improve?

At first glance a lineup that pushes Higuchi (and maybe even Shin) as the odd lady out would look pretty strong, especially at the bottom. My sense is that UNC's phenoms were pretty young so they would probably be the favorites(?) but the line-up you are quoting should be good for a top-4.  I mean, we won a national title with Gordon at #1 as a sophomore, Arbuthnott at the 3 as a Junior, and Shin at 5 and Higuchi at 6.  Not sure Blake is a better 2 than Lord, or that Choy is a better 4 than Arbuthnott, but 5 and 6 were already near automatic wins for us last year, so to see an upgrade at those two positions bodes well.

BC