The Jeffs had a 6-1 record in dual match competition in the brief fall season, with their only loss coming at the hands of the University of Massachusetts. The Jeffs placed second overall at the New England Women's Intercollegiate Tennis Tournament, which was held at Amherst.
Head Coach Jackie Bagwell was honored as the 2000 Boston Area Coach of the Year at the Boston Sports Awards Gala. Bagwell has led the Jeffs to three straight appearances in the Final Four, including a national title in 1999. Amazingly, this title was the first team national title in the long history of Amherst athletics. In addition to the team accolades, Bagwell has helped produce two straight national individual champions.
This year's squad will be led by Co-captains Carolyn Pastel '01 and Jamie Cohen '01. Last year Cohen had a season for the ages, and she will attempt to duplicate her success this year. Cohen won the NCAA Division III Singles Championship and was named a Rolex Collegiate All-Star as she helped lead the 2000 Jeffs to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Final Four Team Championship.
Amherst returns its top nine players from last year's team and benefits from the addition of Wallis Molchen '04. This depth will aid the team in its quest for another national title.
In addition to Cohen, Pastel and Molchen, the roster will consist of Vas Kozoulina '02, Stephanie Fong '02, Heather Cole '02, Susanna Burke '03, Roopali Agarwal '03 and Paige Lawrence '03.
"With all the talent and experience we have on this year's team, our goal is to contend for the national title," said Burke. "It will take hard work and dedication, but I think we can get it done."
The Jeffs kick off their season with a west coast swing during which they will travel to Los Angeles, Calif over spring break. There they will play matches against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Trinity University (TX) and Pomona/Pitzer College.
After spring break and the West Coast trip, the Jeffs must wait two weeks until their next competition. On April 7, the Jeffs travel to the College of New Jersey. The Jeffs started their spring season last year by trouncing the Lions 9-0, and a result like that would jump-start their season.
After their trip to New Jersey the Jeffs jump into NESCAC play, travelling to Tufts University on April 18. After the match with the Jumbos the Jeffs will travel to Williams for the NESCAC Tournament the following weekend. The Jeffs have two more home meets following the tournament, and they will hope to once-again close out their season at the NCAA tournament.
If past success can be seen as an indicator of things to come, look for Amherst to be having another big year.