The women’s tennis team cannot wait to get back on the courts and officially have the 2007-08 season behind them. In a season in which they were consistently ranked number one in the country and had National Championship expectations, the Jeffs were stunned when they were defeated in the round of 16 by Bowdoin College. To make matters even worse, archrival Williams College, a team that the Jeffs had recently defeated in the NESCAC Championships just prior to the National Tournament, ultimately earned the National title. On the season, however, the Jeffs had an impressive record finishing 16-2, with two lone 5-4 losses against Williams and Bowdoin.

The Jeffs still remain one of the most talented teams in the nation. Amherst’s strength the past few seasons has been its depth. However, this season, the Jeffs will have several key singles and doubles positions to fill, as they lost four regulars to graduation.

“The loss of the seniors will be huge,” said Brittany Berckes ’10. “They really set the tone well and made everyone work harder. We have to step up this year to maintain their work ethic and rise to expectations.”

The Jeffs are once again expected to be led by Berckes, who played both first singles and first doubles last year. Berckes will most likely anchor a top doubles team again, having won the NCAA Doubles Championship the past two seasons with now graduated partner Alicia Menezes ‘08. Fellow junior Jill Wexler also emerged as a key player last season, providing a strong presence in the singles and doubles lineup.

The success of the Jeffs will largely be determined by the play of the sophomore class, which made a strong presence as first-years. Laken King ‘11, Carlissa King ‘11 and Natasha Brown ‘11 all proved to be strong singles players and Brown teamed up with Wexler at the number two doubles spot. Sophomore Charlotte Willinsky also did well in limited action in the singles lineup.

Although this year’s senior class is not expected to have a presence in the lineup, they still remain very important to the team’s success.

“We will be really strong this year, because even though the senior captains (Anuja Ankola, Melissa Moulton and Tara Shabahang) have not been in the lineup the past three years, they are as much part team as anyone else,” said Berckes. “They have showed so much dedication and hard work and maintain what last years seniors instilled in us.”

With the Jeffs’ strong core and leadership, they have the ability to avenge last year’s early exit. Furthermore, any contribution from the first-year class will be a huge bonus, as the team is already stacked with talent.

“We have some good freshman coming in and if we work hard and keep focus and learn from last year’s disappointment, then we should be able to accomplish our goals,” said Berckes.

Knowing Berckes’ and the rest of the Jeffs competitive attitude and strong work ethic, with last year’s disappointment still fresh in their mind, look for big things from the Jeffs in the upcoming season.