The team was anxious to see how the doubles would turn out, due to a new change in the rules putting a larger emphasis on doubles. Previously the team that won two or more of the three doubles matches would receive one point towards the overall score. Now, each doubles match individually is worth a single point..
The Jeffs have considered doubles to be one of the team's weaker areas over the last few years, so the new rule was not welcomed with open arms. Nonetheless, the doubles teams played well over the weekend. Geoff Schwartz '08 and first-year Tristan Biesecker played first doubles, but fell 8-4. Zach Lerner '09 and Tal Avrahami '08 picked up the slack in the second spot, however, winning their match 8-4. Senior captain Karti Subramanian and Michael Mintz '08 finished the job off in the third doubles spot, creaming their opponents 8-1.
Up 2-1 after the doubles matches, the Jeffs continued to play well. Playing in the top singles slot, Mintz played a tough three-setter before succumbing 5-7, 1-6, 1-6. Amherst was able to cruise through the next four slots however, winning each position to clinch the overall match. "It's nice to come away with a win in our first match," said Mintz. "But I think in the back of our minds we realized that we are going to need a more consistent performance throughout the entire lineup in order to take down the best teams in the country."
Particularly impressive was Biesecker, considered to be one of the top recruits in the NESCAC. He dismantled his opponent in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3. Jeff Wan '08 played a tough match in the fourth singles spot, but eventually figured his opponent out in the third set and won 7-6, 4-6, 6-0.
The Jeffs will return to action on March 19, on their Spring Break trip to California, where they will take on Cal Lutheran at Pomona College. "We have great talent and potential as a team," said Mintz. "We are entering the crucial part of the season where if we put in the work and push each other to train hard, we are going to start having some exciting results."
NESCAC Notes
Six NESCAC teams are currently ranked among the top 30 teams in the country. Last year's national runner-up Middlebury College leads the pack, ranked second in the country. Williams College is fifth, Trinity College is 10th, Bowdoin College is 15th, Amherst is 18th and Bates College is 26th.