When most teams play a match without their number one, number two and number five players, it would be cause for worry. But in the case of the women's tennis team, this situation cannot stop the roll this incredibly deep squad is on.
The squad went into Wellesley College shorthanded on Wednesday but emerged with yet another 9-0 victory, their fourth clean sweep of the year. The non-league victory improved the Jumbos to 7-0, while their league NESCAC record remains at 4-0.
Number one singles player junior Jen Lejb, as well as sophomores Becky Bram (number two) and Lisa Miller (number five), didn't make the short trip to Wellesley on account of midterms. But the Jumbos didn't miss a beat.
"We have such a luxury of being able to fill in spots and still dominate," coach Jim Watson said.
The usual number three player, freshman Jen Luten (7-0 on the year), stepped up to the number one slot and was clearly up to the challenge, quickly disposing of her opponent in straight sets (6-0, 6-2). The regular number four competitor, senior captain Barclay Gang, moved up to number two and had a bit of a tougher time. She dropped the first set quickly before making a complete 180 to dominate the next two sets for the win (2-6, 6-0, 6-1).
Gang attributed the first set troubles to a combination of factors.
"Playing outdoors in matches for the first time in a while took some adjustment," she said. "The courts were pretty slow, and my game is helped by faster courts."
Watson applauded how she came back after dropping the first set.
"Once Barclay worked hard at settling down her game, she regained her confidence and looked great out there," Watson said.
A host of other Jumbos got their chance to step up in the team's last non-league contest of the fall. Freshman Kylyn Deary (7-0 record), normally number five, was boosted to three and she ousted her competition in a 6-1, 6-2 cakewalk. Junior Trina Spear took advantage of her opportunity as she has all year ( 3-0 record) and won in the four slot after her opponent retired in the third set (6-2, 4-6, ret). In addition, freshmen Stephanie Ruley (6-1, 6-0) and Patricia Ritter (6-4, 6-2) breezed through their first varsity matches.
"Wednesday's match was just a lot of fun for everyone, seeing as how we got to pull together our JV and varsity players," Gang said.
There was more fun to be had in the doubles, where the Jumbos started the day and did not relent. Luten and Deary made a mean freshman combo and edged out Wellesley's number one pair 8-5. Gang and Spear combined for a dominating 8-0 triumph, and Ruley and Ritter came out on top of an 8-1 score. The revised doubles groups picked up where the others had left off: as winners.
"We had to do some reworking with the doubles lineups and it turned out fine," Watson said. "Wellesley had some competitive players, but they could only play with us for so long. Our depth is just a tremendous advantage that not many teams have."
The short fall dual season is capped off tomorrow when the Jumbos play host to Trinity at Voute Courts, weather permitting. The Bantams are ranked #25 nationally, but they have struggled recently against the likes of Williams and Amherst and have dropped to 1-3. This will be only the third home match for the Jumbos.
"We're really looking forward to playing another home match, especially a league match," Gang said. "With how well this year has gone, we aren't too worried about Trinity. But we still have to continue to work hard."
Miller echoed those sentiments.
"Historically, Trinity isn't as strong as a team like Bowdoin or Middlebury, but it's a new season, so it should be a competitive match."
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