On Saturday, the third-ranked Jeffs topped Wellesley 7-2. Amherst overcame windy and hot conditions to win five of the six singles matches. At the number-one spot, senior co-captain Kristen Raverta won in straight sets 6-3, 6-2. Following Raverta's strong play were sophomores Alicia Menezes and Jen Murphy at the number two and four spots, respectively. Menezes took care of her opponent in a dominant manner, controlling the points and attacking frequently en route to her 6-2, 6-2 victory.
Sophomore Monica Snyder played a competitive match until she was no longer able to play, due to an Achilles tendon injury. She had split sets with her opponent and was trailing 5-1 when she was forced to retire.
Senior co-captain Hadley Miller played in what was the closest of all the matches at fifth singles. After winning the first set 6-4, Miller dropped the second set by a score of 5-7. However, the Jeff came out strong in the third set, and took advantage of a break early in the set to win 6-3.
A big story for the Amherst squad was the spectacular play of first-year Anuja Ankola, who has stepped up tremendously at the number-six spot since the match against Tufts University last Tuesday. Filling in for injured sophomore Laura Stein, Ankola defeated her opponent in straight sets 6-1, 6-4.
In the doubles action, which Amherst has been focusing on in practice, the Jeffs won two of three matches. Menezes and Raverta had the easiest time, executing at the net and baseline in an 8-1 victory. Miller and Stein followed suit at third doubles as their great net play and teamwork earned them an 8-5 victory. At second doubles, Murphy and Snyder played a close and thrilling match, but ultimately fell 9-8.
On Tuesday, the Jeffs defeated a tough Tufts squad 8-1. The Jeffs' doubles play swept the competition. The duos of Menezes-Raverta and Murphy-Snyder at the first and second spots respectively, dominated their matches, constantly attacking en route to 8-1 victories.
At third doubles, Ankola stepped up again, filling in for the injured Stein. Ankola teamed up with Miller, playing solid and smart doubles, winning 8-5.
Although the Jeffs' doubles play was dominant, their singles play was just as impressive, although a lot closer. At the number-one spot, Raverta was played very tough by her opponent, but in the end she proved to be too powerful and persevered to win 7-6 (2), 6-4. Menezes and Miller, at the second and fifth spots, respectively, played solid tennis and controlled the match with 6-4, 6-4 victories. Monica Snyder overcame a slow start at the third spot after dropping the first set, 4-6. She took control in the final two sets, winning 6-4, 6-2. Murphy played dominant singles, winning 6-0, 6-2.
Anuja Ankola, playing at the sixth spot for the first time this season, fell in a close match. After winning the first set, 6-1, Ankola dropped the second set, 5-7. She lost the third set tiebreaker, 6-10. "The last two matches showed how mentally tough each player on our team is," said Murphy. "Everyone focused very hard against good opponents, and we were able to come out on the winning end of the matches."
On April 22, Amherst will play its last home match of the year. This will be one of the biggest matches of the year, as the Jeffs take on their archrivals, Williams College. "We are really getting excited for Williams next Saturday," said Murphy. "It was a very intense, close match that we pulled out in the fall."
NESCAC Notes
Amherst is undefeated in conference play while both Middlebury Collge and Williams currently have only one conference loss.