The Bears were nearly flawless in 2018. But the postseason is a cruel game of musical chairs. Instead, the Bears are left not with a throne but outside the ballroom entirely, to the bitter aftertaste of a single blemish: 21-1.

There is no more margin of error. The initial 21 wins in the rearview, Wash. U. needs to collect two more without a loss to claim the title of best in Division III. The Red and Green face No. 3 Middlebury College in the Final Four Friday at UNCG Stadium in Greensboro, N.C.

Junior John Watts and seniors Chris Hoeland and Charlie Cutler finished in third place in the singles and doubles competitions respectively at the 2008 Wilson/ITA National Small College Championships held this past weekend in Mobile, Ala.