Author: Els Van Woert
The women's spring tennis season is picking up pace, and the young and promising team has great expectations for a banner season. While the team roster features only first-year and sophomores, they have come off a very encouraging and impressive routing of the Division I University of Vermont (UVM) squad in a 5-2 final score.
"Our team has less collegiate experience than most," explained Coach Nate Simms, "but we are true competitors." This was evident in the team's play in Burlington, as much focus and tenacity through a number of three-set matches secured the victory.
Sophomore Libby Meyers said of the match, "Everybody went into UVM and played extremely well. UVM was a confidence booster and we now have great momentum for our matches at Hilton Head over Spring Break." The Vermont match opened up the season play for Middlebury, while it was six or seven matches in for the Catamounts. The Panthers hope the quick start will set the tone for the season.
In the past, due to its denser schedule, the fall season has been stressed more out of the two for the Panthers, but the focus has seen a shift this year.
The preseason for this spring's team has really allowed the squad to focus on getting in top shape for the season. Top singles player and co-captain alongside Jena Siegel '04, Sandy Spring '04 says that the indoor preparation time has really benefited the team unity and personal performances.
"This spring we had almost a whole month to regroup and work on more individual, technical skills," said Spring. "We've been bonding really well the last few weeks of practice, and the smaller number of players and that we are all younger has really facilitated this." Kristin Baker and Nina Popel are the remaining sophomore teammates, all of who play key roles.
The four first-year rookies (Flynne Templeton, Lauren Ready, Jeannie McIntosh and Lindsay Freeman) are certainly making their marks, with Ready adding: "We've had a nice, long preseason with plenty of time to work on our games, get in shape and get fired up for the season." This spring includes many more tournaments, such as the New England Small College Athletic Conference's (NESCAC) and NCAAs.
Falling just one seed shy of a NCAA bid last year, Simms is optimistic about the team's chances at the end of the regular season. "I know this team is capable of being quite successful in the post-season," he said.
The national champions for the past few years have all come out of the NESCAC, and the Middlebury team should certainly have much confidence after coming off of some big matches this fall, in which they upset nationally ranked perennial powers Wesleyan and Skidmore.
The next step for the Panthers is their Spring Break trip to Hilton Head, S.C., where they will be facing Midwest opponents Carleton College, Luther, Salisbury, and the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, two of the four being nationally ranked competitors. "We're looking forward to playing some pretty good matches down there against teams we usually wouldn't have the opportunity to play," said Spring. This trip will carry the team into a busy April tournament schedule that will peak with the NESCAC Tournament at the end of the month.
Interested spectators can come support the tennis team as they host an April 5 to 7 tournament. Enthusiasm, heart, grit and commitment will be expected from the Middlebury women in the weeks to follow. A talented team that will continue to mature with every contest, expect the Panthers to make a statement this spring.
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