The Jeffs fell to 3-1 in NESCAC play after a showdown with Little III foe Wesleyan University on April 5. Senior co-captain Andy Tsai was the only Lord Jeff to claim victory that day when he defeated Cardinal opponent, Dan Yeoman, (6-4, 1-6, 6-3) at the number four singles position. Wesleyan claimed the third, fifth and sixth singles points as well as the doubles point for a 4-1 victory. The top two singles matches were suspended when their outcomes became moot.
"[The doubles' point] has always been our weak point," said veteran Head Coach Peter Robeson, adding, "If you lose the double, its psychologically hard, because then you have to win four of the six singles matches." The top three doubles teams, composed of pairs Adam Leibsohn '03 and Arpan Podduturi '05, Brian Chin '03 and Tsai, as well as John Godsall '06 and Josh Rilla '06, struggled against the Wesleyan team, losing all three matches. "We have the talent; we just have to make sure people click as a team," explained Robeson.
Absent from Saturday's singles lineup were Danny Babkes '06 and Rilla. Babkes and Rilla played first and second singles for the entire fall season with great success, finishing off the fall campaign with respective records of 2-1 and 3-0 in NESCAC play. The two rookies also made key contributions as the first doubles team. "They're two of the best players we've had in a long time," said Robson. Babkes will sit out for the rest of the season due to injuries. Rilla is just returning to the courts after a three-month absence due to mononucleosis. "I think Josh will make it back [into the line up]. It's just a matter of him getting back into shape. Spring is a cramped season, but he's good," said Robson, adding that he hopes Rilla will man the number one or two singles spot when he regains his form.
Indeed the team's depth proved a great asset as Amherst took on Drew University on Sunday, April 6. Despite a sweeping upset in the doubles match-ups, the Lord Jeffs came back to defeat their opponents 4-3 on home turf. Leibsohn delivered a strong performance at first singles, turning in a 6-2, 7-5 win. "Adam's been great, he's stepped up, he's playing great and he's got a great attitude," said Robson. Sophomore Max Rettig battled through a tough second set to hang on to a 6-4, 7-6(3) victory at second singles. Tsai turned in a solid appearance on the courts with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph in the fourth spot.
"They know they can beat anyone in any given day if they focus," said Robson. The Lord Jeffs will need to gather all of the focus they can muster as they host the Ephs of Williams College on Saturday, April 12. The 2002 NESCAC Championship-winning team comes to town with a record of 6-2 on the year.