The Jeffs put their motivation into action last week as they started displaying the same type of dominance they had exhibited early in the season. Amherst swept Smith College 9-0 on Jan. 26 and improved its record to 4-3. On hand for the sweep were first-years Di Kirkwood and Libby Martin, sophomores Caroline Shannon, Emily O'Brien, Abby Mantica, and Emily Zandy, junior Scotty Hanley, and seniors Ali Gibbs and Erin Murphy. Each Jeff won her individual match by a score of 3-0. Perhaps more impressive is that only one of the 27 games was decided by a score of less than three points.
On Jan. 28, the Jeffs traveled to Wellesley College and won in an equally dominant fashion, posting their second sweep in as many matches. The team sported nearly the same roster as against Smith, with sophomore Sarah Harper replacing Kirkwood at the seventh spot. All nine Jeffs won their matches, 3-0. Shannon, playing in the first spot for injured co-captain Ashley Harmeling '05, was nearly perfect against Wellesley's Tomoko Takahashi. Shannon yielded only two points in her three games (9-0, 9-0, 9-2).
Incredibly, Amherst recorded a sweep for the third consecutive match on Jan. 29 by dominating Vassar College in the first match of the Mt. Holyoke Invitational. Harmeling returned for the match and added to the Jeffs' prowess as she, along with Gibbs, Martin, Mantica, Zandy, Harper and Murphy, each blanked their opponents, winning their individual sets, 3-0.
Later that day, the Jeffs defeated the Colby College White Mules, 6-3, to climb to a 7-3 record. Harmeling, Gibbs, Martin, Zandy and Murphy each posted their second 3-0 individual win of the day. Murphy was notably flawless against Mule Kathryn Tom (9-0, 9-0, 9-0).
With a three-match winning streak in tow Amherst was unable to extend its streak on Jan. 30 and lost to Princeton University in Williamstown, 9-0. The Tigers, ranked seventh in the nation, proved to be one of the most talented squads on the Lord Jeffs' schedule this season. Princeton entered the match 7-1, having lost only to top-ranked Yale University. Martin recorded Amherst's lone game victory on the day, a 10-8 win versus Anina Nolan in a 3-1 loss.
The Jeffs, 7-4 at week's end, are optimistic that they will continue to improve. "There is a lot of time left in the season, and I know we have a lot of potential," said Kirkwood. "I believe we can continue winning." Amherst will use the following week both to rest and prepare for the Trinity Invitational that will be held Feb. 5-6, as they have no other matches during the upcoming week.