This past fall, Amherst handily defeated Skidmore, Colby, Bowdoin and Trinity Colleges, as well as Wesleyan University. The Jeffs experienced their first loss to the Ephs in a tough 4-5 match between two teams of excellent ability.
The Ephs repeated their winning ways the following weekend at the New England Championships, where five out of nine final matches involved Amherst and Williams players, demonstrating the depth and skill of both teams. Although most of the matches went in favor of Williams, Amherst is preparing for a spring rematch by addressing what did not work properly in the fall.
Head Coach Jackie Bagwell said she valued the fall as a chance to identify weaknesses and strengths.
"I would say that the most important part of the fall is just to scope out our competition, since the spring is when everything counts in terms of nationals," said senior captain Wallis Molchen.
The women will begin spring competition during their spring break trip to California, where they will play Pomona-Pitzer College, Redlands University, Div. I California State Fullerton University and the team from Claremont, Mudd and Scripps Colleges. "Ideally we want to get off to a great start while in California," said Molchen.
Upon returning to New England, they will play seven more dual matches and host both the NESCAC Championships, April 16-18, and the NCAA Northeast Regionals, May 1-2.
"We are just going to take it one match at a time no matter how hard or easy [the competitors] are," said Molchen. However, she noted that the biggest dual matches will be home against Tufts University on April 13 and Williams on April 24, and at Middlebury College on April 11.
Tufts is currently ranked third nationally, followed by Middlebury at sixth, Williams at eighth and Amherst at 11th. The four schools are also ranked first through fourth, respectively, in the Northeast region. "We are lucky in that we play the 'big schools' in dual matches so if we play well, we have a great chance of achieving a high national ranking and heading to nationals," said Molchen.
Amherst has a deep and talented group returning to the courts. "The top three positions on the team may switch up a bit," said Bagwell. "[Kristen] Raverta ['06], [Rachel] Holt ['05] and [Tristan] Hedrick ['05] are all very close in ability."
Last spring, Raverta was an All-American and a First-Team All-NESCAC for singles, and ITA Northeast and NESCAC Rookie of the Year. Hedrick was All-American for doubles and a First-Team All-NESCAC pick for singles. She also made Second-Team All-NESCAC in doubles. Holt is a two-time All-American and a Second-Team All-NESCAC honoree for both singles and doubles. Holt consistently plays well, and at the Omni ITA Tournament, she placed second in singles.
Molchen, who earned Second-Team All-NESCAC honors for doubles, played fourth singles during the fall season, but she is still recovering from a concussion sustained in the fall, so she has not yet returned to full ability. "I think my participation in the lineup is crucial but not a guarantee, so I think we are all going to have to rely on everyone else to step up when we need to," said Molchen. Hedrick was out with an arm injury for part of the fall, so the team filled in then as they may need to again this spring. Hadley Miller '06, a Second Team All-NESCAC selection for doubles, and first-year Katie Hudson round out the top six singles players.
"The doubles are also very close, with a different team winning virtually every time they play each other," said Bagwell.
During the fall season, Holt and Hedrick played first doubles, Miller and Erin Murphy '05 second, and Raverta and Molchen third. It is not yet clear whether the pairings will change for the spring, but the team is concentrating on improving their doubles techniques since the outcome of many matches comes down to the doubles teams. The Jeffs are also focusing on improving point-building strategies for singles, especially finishing-off points, according to Bagwell.
"I think everyone is going to have to step up wherever they are playing in the lineup because every match counts," said Molchen. For a team hoping to win NESCACs and repeat its trip to the NCAA Final Four, every match is important.
Miller said that each member of the team is a key contributor because every member adds an important element to the team dynamic.
This talented team hopes to hone its skills this spring in order to achieve its goals. While focusing on one match at a time, Molchen said the team's ultimate goal remains "making and doing well at Nationals."