The Jeffs opened their season with a 9-0 sweep of the Cardinals from Wesleyan University. Amherst used momentum from this Little Three victory to post impressive individual showings at the Sept. 23-25 ITA New England Championships. Senior tri-captain Kristen Raverta made it all the way to the finals of the singles tournament and paired with sophomore Alicia Menezes to win the doubles tournament.
At an Oct. 2 Maine doubleheader, Amherst dismissed Bowdoin and Colby Colleges, 8-1 and 9-0, respectively.
Though Amherst is undefeated, there is technically an asterisk attached to its record. A match against UMass-originally scheduled for Sept. 20-was postponed due to rain, and during the Oct. 3 make-up, darkness fell while the score was still tied 2-2. It remains uncertain whether the match will be completed.
In an exciting match-up of two top NESCAC teams, Amherst defeated archrival Williams College in the team's final fall dual match, 6-3.
"Knowing that the match versus Williams was so close is only motivation to work really hard in the off-season so we can more easily defeat them in the spring," said sophomore Jennifer Murphy.
At NEWITT, the New England team championship, last weekend, Amherst again demonstrated depth and skill, sending all six singles players to at least the semifinals-winning five of nine flights to earn the team title. Senior tri-captain Hadley Miller won fifth singles in the 22-college tournament. Murphy and Menezes won fourth and third singles, respectively. Sophomores Monica Synder and Murphy paired to take the second doubles title, while Menezes teamed with Raverta to dominate first doubles.
"Alicia [Menezes] and Kristen [Raverta] have been solid and essentially untouchable at the number one-doubles spot all season," explained Murphy.
Added Miller, "I think the best testament to the team's success this weekend has to be the fact that every Amherst player got to at least the semifinals in their respective draws."
"Talk about a great way to end the fall season! We played several tough teams this fall but even with some unfortunate injuries to a few of our top players, we were still able to pull through," said senior tri-captain Miranda Kim. "I think the goal for the off-season is consistent training and dedication-and to come back in the spring ready to play again."
The women look forward to the spring portion of their season, when they will defend their first-ever NESCAC crown and attempt to make their way to the NCAA Tournament for the 12th consecutive year.
"We've laid a strong foundation this fall and are looking forward to building upon it in the spring," said Miller. "As always, we're shooting to take the NCAA title, and I know that we have the talent to do so."