Guided by nationally acclaimed coach Jackie Bagwell, the Jeffs are ranked an impressive 10th in the nation in preseason polls. Both the team and coach expect a strong league performance this year and a top finish at the season-ending Howe Cup at Yale University on Feb. 15-17.
Susanna Burke '03 and Roopali Agarwal '03 are expected to lead the talented squad this season. Agarwal played solidly in the number two slot throughout the entire last season. Burke, after picking up a squash racquet for the first time last year, turned in a number of impressive and unexpected victories in the number four slot for the bulk of the season.
"I've really worked hard in the preseason to improve my game from last year," said Burke. "I've seen a lot of the girls doing the same so we should get off to a strong start this season. This team has a lot of energy and dedication."
The Jeffs have been drilling and conditioning hard in practice to ensure that they are in solid physical form and able to get off to a quick start this season.
"We've been conditioning very hard," said Burke. "I'm impressed with how hard everyone has been working. This team has a lot of potential and depth."
Burke will lead the ladder but will be followed by a strong supporting staff including Alexandra Gibbs '05, Agarwal, Tara Kenney '04, Mary Frances Ford '02, Lindsey Snyder '02, Emily Stark '04, Cara Coscarelli '02, Mara Alcaly '05 and Annie MacRae '04.
"We have a really talented ladder this season," said Agarwal. "All of the girls are solid players and should turn in strong performances. I'm looking forward to this season."
Although the team graduated dominating players K.C. Geise '01 and Vanessa Champion '01, strong performances are expected from Gibbs and Kenney.
As a freshman, Gibbs is technically skilled with a strong stroke. Kenney performed well for the team last year and has shown notable improvement in the preseason.
"Ali [Gibbs] should turn in a number of strong performances, as will Tara. They have both played consistently well in practice," Burke said.
The team has a challenging schedule this year but expects to improve upon last year's 13-10 record.
Matches against top-ranked Harvard University, as well as women's squash powerhouses Yale, Cornell, Brown and Dartmouth Universities, should provide the most difficult competition for the team this season.
"The Ivies will be a real challenge but I expect that we will also see good competition from Williams, Bowdoin, Bates, and Colby [Colleges]. This year's team should weather the challenges well though," Kenney said.
This Tuesday, the team traveled to Harvard to face the unranked Tufts University Jumbos.