The women's tennis team opened the spring with a slightly different lineup from the fall. So far, however, the results have been the same.
With freshman Jen Luten and junior Jen Lejb flip-flopping at the number one and two seeds, the squad picked up right where its undefeated fall season left off, blasting Wesleyan and Brandeis each by a 9-0 count and winning four of six titles over the weekend at the Middlebury Invitational. The two non-tournament wins ran the Jumbos' record to 10-0 (6-0 NESCAC) including fall matches.
At the eight-team tournament at Middlebury, Luten captured the A singles division, winning two, three-set matches after two easy wins in the first round and quarterfinals. In the semifinals, she battled back from several match points down to defeat Middlebury number one seed Jackie Ross (4-6, 6-1, 13-11). In the finals, she ran up against Middlebury's Amy Roche, who had yet to lose a single game in the tournament. Using a strong serve, Luten claimed a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory, gaining some degree of revenge for sophomore teammate Becky Bram, who fell to Roche in the semifinals.
"It took me awhile to get adjusted to my opponents' games," Luten said of dropping the first set of her final two matches. "I played smart and kept my patience, and I was able to step it up and play with more intensity."
In the B singles tournament, senior co-captain Barclay Gang and junior Lisa Miller both reached the semifinals. There, Miller fell to Middlebury's Claire Smyser 6-3, 6-1 while Gang took out top seed Sandy Spring 7-6 (4), 7-5. In the finals, Gang was down 6-3, 3-0 to Smyser when she was forced to retire with a torn abdominal muscle.
"We played seven matches in two days," said Gang, who will see a doctor this week to determine her injury status. "I wasn't even sure if I was going to be able to play in the finals at all. I tried, but it just hurt too much."
In the C singles tournament, freshman Kylyn Deary captured the title with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Middlebury's Lauren Ready, who took out Jumbo junior Trina Spear 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals.
In doubles play, freshmen Luten and Deary won the A division, Gang and junior Neda Pisheva fell in the B finals, and Bram and Miller claimed the C championship with a tight 9-8 (7) win.
Lejb did not make the trip up to Vermont, giving Luten and Deary the opportunity to play together.
"It felt really good playing with her," Luten said. "We play really well together and I hope we can keep playing together."
After the winter offseason and a spring break vacation in Miami, the Jumbos were impressive against both Wesleyan and Brandeis, avoiding a single three-set match.
Against Wesleyan on March 27, Luten's 6-2, 6-4 victory was as close as any of the Cardinals came to touching a Jumbo. Lejb (6-1, 6-4), Bram (6-1, 6-1), Gang (6-1, 6-0), Miller (6-0, 6-1), and Deary (6-3) all won easily.
The Jumbos' three primary doubles teams from the fall enjoyed similar success. The Jens teamed up to win 8-3 at the number one doubles slot, Gang and Pisheva triumphed at number two doubles 8-4, and Bram and Miller prevailed 8-1 in the third spot.
"I think we looked very sharp and very professional versus Wesleyan," Luten said. "Everyone looks improved. We've been working hard and putting in a lot of effort."
Forced into Gantcher against Brandeis due to rain last Thursday, Luten (6-4, 6-2), Lejb (6-2, 6-0), Bram (6-1, 6-1), Gang (6-1, 6-2), Miller (6-1, 6-0), and Deary (6-2, 6-1) all won their singles matches with ease. The doubles teams of Lejb and Luten, Gang and Pisheva, and Miller and Deary all won handily as well.
"Everyone was on top of their games against Brandeis," Lejb said. "We've been playing during the offseason and really practicing. We haven't really had any problems."
"We have so much talent, and right now we're changing some stuff up, all with the purpose of winning," Gang added. "We're trying to put everyone's individual goals behind and focus on the team, because I think that's what will get us to the NCAA's. Everyone's on the same page."
After playing primarily at three and then two during the fall, Luten moved up to the top spot after defeating Lejb in a challenge match.
"I was really excited and kind of shocked," Luten said prior to the Brandeis match. "I'm going to try not to let [moving up ruin my perfect record]. I'm going to play some very good players, but I'm up for the challenge."
So far, she has managed to keep her undefeated record intact, but it will be tough to do so on Friday, when national number one Emory visits Voute Courts at 12 p.m.
"Middlebury was a great warmup," Gang said. "We have only tough matches from here on out, starting with Emory."
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