Women's Tennis Delivers Two Wins

Author: Emily Berlanstein

Having devoted a significant amount of practice time to doubles strategy, Coach Nate Simms must have the women's tennis team thinking in pairs because last week they handily defeated Skidmore College and Union College, both by a score of 8-1. This year's experienced squad, currently ranked 22nd in the NCAA poll, has the potential to be one of Middlebury's best. Three new first-years and senior Ariella Neville, who returns from a year abroad, bring raw talent and experience to a solid group that just barely missed the NCAA tournament last spring.
In reference to last week's matches, Lindsay Freeman '05 commented, "we annihilated them both." She added that the Panthers did not concede to the competition's lower level of play, but, rather, they strove for complete domination. The singles lineup nearly swept Skidmore as Lauren Ready '05 (6-3, 6-1), Ariella Neville '03 (6-3, 6-0), Kristin Baker '04 (7-6(9-7), 6-2), Nina Popel '04 (6-4, 6-3) and Jeannie McIntosh '05 (7-5, 6-3) all destroyed their opponents. In doubles, the Panthers were also unstoppable. The ultimate pair of Libby Meyers '04 and captain and doubles specialist Jena Siegel '04 (8-2) were on fire, setting the tone for the other doubles winners, powerhouses Popel and Neville (8-0) and McIntosh and Baker (8-3).
The match against Union was almost an identical showing as Neville (6-2, 7-5), Baker (6-1, 6-1), Popel (6-2, 6-0), McIntosh (6-1, 6-0) and Meyers (6-1, 6-0) were all singles winners. The doubles duos, with scores of 8-4 (Siegel/Meyers), 8-3 (Neville/Popel) and 8-2 (Baker/McIntosh), were also unstoppable.
The Panthers come off of these two matches in good spirits, hoping to have set the tone for their entire season. In addition to individual talent, this team boasts great camaraderie, a positive attitude and an evenly competitive squad. Simms seems to believe that these assets can carry them all the way, and the Panthers are determined to rise to the top.
This weekend should present more of a challenge for the team as they face Wesleyan and Tufts in a double-header in Boston. While Middlebury and Wesleyan split a pair of matches last year, the Panthers are anxiously awaiting their NESCAC rival Tufts on Sunday. The dominant Panthers will be back in action at home on Oct. 8 when they will vie for state bragging rights against the University of Vermont.