Indeed, Head Coach Jackie Bagwell has plenty of reasons to be optimistic about her team's chances of taking that next step as she returns all of the key players from the team that lost to Emory University in the national finals last season.
Bagwell's squad displayed its potential with a dominating season in the fall. Amherst went 4-1 in head-to-head competition-the only loss being at the hands of Div. I UMass-highlighted by a 9-0 whitewashing of perennial rival Williams College. The Jeffs also racked up convincing wins over Wesleyan University and Bowdoin and Colby Colleges. This performance was all the more impressive considering that Bagwell was without the services of two key players, quad-captain Tristan Hedrick '05 and Hadley Miller '06, both of whom were forced to sit out the entire team competition in the fall due to injuries.
The one sour note came at the end of the fall campaign when first-year phenom Alicia Menezes tore her ACL while competing with doubles partner quad-captain Rachel Holt '05 at the ITA National Championships in Fort Myers, Fla. Menezes proved a valuable contributor in Bagwell's lineup from the outset, and the team is hopeful that the rookie, who has been working diligently on her rehab, will be back in time for Nationals.
Following the conclusion of the fall season in October, the members of the tennis team were able to enjoy a brief respite before heading to Coolidge Cage in preparation for the spring season. For the past several weeks, these women have been treating the patrons of the Wolff Fitness Center to some exciting tennis, as they have been battling each other in grueling challenge matches. However, during Spring Break, the team will finally get the opportunity to direct their considerable talents and energies at some intercollegiate competition, as Amherst will kick off its spring season with a nine-day trip to California featuring two Div. I and two nationally-ranked Div. III opponents.
Although there is still opportunity for players to move up, Coach Bagwell's lineup seems to have taken shape after three weeks of hotly-contested challenge matches. Holt figures to open the spring at the top of the Jeffs' order. A four-year stalwart, Holt had a stand-out campaign in 2001-02, winning national co-Rookie of the Year honors, and she has been a reliable force in Bagwell's lineup ever since. Holt, who played in the third spot last spring, is confident that this is the best Amherst team she has seen in her four years. "I really feel that as long as we can stay healthy and cohesive, we have a great chance to win it all," said Holt. "I hope we see dividends from our off season preparation."
Right behind Holt will be Hedrick, who manned the top spot for Bagwell last spring. Hedrick was out of the lineup for much of the fall but has recovered from injury and ought to be an imposing presence at the second position.
Kristen Raverta '06, another player with experience at number one, will play in the third slot to open the season. That Bagwell has three legitimate number-one singles players at the top of her rotation is a testament to the depth of the Amherst roster this season.
Miller, another player coming off of an injury, should see time at the fourth spot, while first-year Monica Snyder will represent the talented class of 2008 in Menezes' absence at the fifth position.
Southpaw Katie Hudson '07 should round out Bagwell's singles lineup as the number-six player, while Laura Stein '08 and quad-captain Erin Murphy '05 will challenge for playing time as well.
In the vitally important yet oft-overlooked doubles portion of the lineup, Holt and Hedrick will team up to play in the top spot, with the tandems of Raverta-Hudson and Miller-Snyder promising a formidable doubles presence. "As much as singles matters, it is doubles that wins championships," said Holt.
The women's tennis team will start its season at Pomona and Pitzer Colleges on March 13. During their trip, the Jeffs will also take on California State Fullerton University, Columbia University and Claremont College.
Amherst's first home match takes place on March 31 against NESCAC foe Connecticut College.