Women's tennis starts season on a hot streak Panthers' loss to top-ranked Emory only blemish on Spring Break record

Author: Heather Wright

The Middlebury College women's tennis team traveled to California for a successful Spring Break training trip. They went 3-1 while facing some of the best teams in the nation, giving the Panthers confidence for their coming season.

Middlebury began the trip by playing Connecticut College whom they had faced many times in the past. The Panthers won 7-2 against the Camels. This win gave Middlebury the self-assurance they needed to face their more challenging opponents later in the week, as it was only the team's second match of the year.

Depauw was ranked number six in the nation going into the match versus the Panthers, but Middlebury came out ready to play and succeeded in coming out on top. Jackie Ross '07 and Claire Smyser '07 played number one doubles and beat a great doubles team from Depauw who had won the National Small College Championship in the fall. The Panthers won 6-3. "Beating Depauw was good for our confidence because they were ranked above us" said co-captain Lauren Ready '05.

The Panthers handily beat Pomona-Pitzer, ranked number 18 in the nation, 9-0. This easy win inspired more confidence in the strong Middlebury team. It also proved just how good the Middlebury women are and that they deserve to compete with teams ranked in the top 10 in the nation.

Middlebury suffered its only loss of the week to the top ranked division three team in the nation, Emory, in a close match 6-3. Emory had a 78 match win streak going into the match. Although Middlebury put up quite a fight, they were unable to come up with the win. Coach Nate Simms commented, "the team played nervous tennis by and large, but I think that the loss will help us later in the spring." Against this strong Emory team, Amy Roche '07 and Amanda Berck '08 won their number two doubles match. Roche and Berck also both won their singles matches at number two and three singles, respectively. Ready said, "The experience made us more match tough and left us eager to play them again."

The Panthers' experience out in California will greatly help with the rest of their season. The players met tough competition and never gave up in all their matches. Several Panthers had exceptional performances and expect to see much success from them in the remainder of the season. Berck won all of her singles matches this week, going 4-0. Emily Holick '07, Amy Berkman '08, and Roche all went 3-1 in singles play against tough opponents.

The Panthers also showed their strength in doubles play. Both pairs of Smyser and Ross, and Berck and Roche went 3-1 in California.

The Panthers next play at Amherst on Sunday, April 10. The women's tennis team has shown they are a strong contender to defend their New England Women's Tennis Tournament title from this fall. The team will next be in action on April 10 against Amherst and will then host NESCAC rival Williams at home on April 16.