When the women's tennis team took the courts against NYU on Saturday, there were a few not-so familiar faces in the Jumbo lineup. Three JV players were given the opportunity to play consolation matches with the varsity team for the day, and they took full advantage of the opportunity.
JV senior co-captains Casey Beck and Sarah Kohnstamm and freshman Laura Hoguet took on NYU's "big girls." Beck and Hoguet paired up together to take on NYU in the No. 5 doubles spot. After stumbling out of the gate, the duo was able to come back and win 8-5.
"Although Laura and Casey were trying to close in at net, they were just a step or two too far back." JV coach DiDi Weinreb said. "Once they stepped in and really closed, there was no turning back."
In the singles play, the girls took on NYU players in the No. 8, 9 and 10 spots with Beck playing in the No. 8 spot, Hoguet in the ninth slot and Kohnstamm at No. 10.
Beck fell 6-2, 6-2 but according to the Tufts coaching staff, the score does not reflect the fight she put up against her NYU opponent.
"Casey needed to get through her first set nerves," Weinreb said. "After that, she gave her opponent a real fight in the second set. Unfortunately, came up a little short."
All three girls took risks and tested strategies they had been working on in practice. In the No. 9 and 10 spots Hoguet and Kohnstamm also put up played hard but fell to their opponents 7-5, 6-4, and 6-3, 6-4 respectively. The weather conditions provided an added factor during their matches
"With the wind at their backs, Laura and Sarah played aggressive tennis," Weinreb said. "They closed in at net and took advantage when they could by hitting with more height, depth and spin while the wind was in their face."
Beck commented on the chance to step up in a varsity match.
"It was a wonderful opportunity to play with the varsity," Beck said. "I enjoy playing tougher matches, even if I lose individually."
- by Lauren Ebstein
