Coach Jackie Bagwell felt confident that this would be another successful year for women's tennis. With virtually the same team returning from last year along with the
addition of Wallis Molchen '04, Bagwell expects this year's team to do "as well or better" than last year's squad, which appeared in the NCAA final four.
"This team is hungrier than last year," she said. "The intensity that we might have been missing, we now have."
In Saturday's match that intensity was apparent. The Lord Jeffs started solidly by taking all three doubles contests. From there the women went on to win five of the six singles matches for an 8-1 victory.
Co-captain Jamie Cohen '01 led the way, quickly dispatching her opponent 6-2, 6-3. Co-captain Carolyn Pastel '01 (6-4, 6-2), Heather Cole '02 (6-2, 6-1), Paige Lawrence '03 (6-2, 6-1), and Molchen (6-3, 6-4) also emerged victorious from their singles matches.
Injuries plagued the visitors on Sunday, when two of the six singles matches ended early with retirements on the Skidmore side. However, in both instances Amherst was enjoying commanding leads when the matches were conceded.
Against Skidmore Pastel (6-2, 6-1), Cole (6-1, 6-0) and Lawrence (6-2, 6-0) all won their matches. Cohen and Molchen were winners by default due to the retirements from injury. The Jeffs cruised to a 7-2 win.
With the two convincing wins this weekend, the team is now 2-0 in the NESCAC.
After the match with Trinity, Cohen and Pastel commented on the upcoming season, both expressing relief that the first win was out of the way.
"In the beginning, it is always nerve-wracking," said Pastel. "This win relieves some of the pressure." The two shared Bagwell's confidence. "We are focused and positive," said Cohen.
The Jeffs will be tested on Tuesday when they host Division I opponent University of Massachusetts in a non-league matchup. The Jeffs have fared well against UMass in the past, but the matches have always been close. The match will begin at 3:30.
After that match, the Jeffs' next challenge will be at the Rolex Championships.
Cohen, who was named the Rolex Player of the Year last year, has won the championships the last three years, and could become the first player to win it four years in a row.
Burke also was a Rolex Champion last year, winning the number four singles competition.