With the spring season on the horizon for the women's tennis team, the Jumbos will attempt to continue their success from last season and once again make their mark in both the NESCAC and national rankings. Tufts, ranked No. 14 according to the latest national poll in December, will look to its core players to compete successfully this season.
Two key players that Tufts will rely on this season are senior tri-captain Jennifer Lejb and sophomore Jennifer Luten. Luten and Lejb led the team at first and second, respectively, in the wins column last season in both duals and tournaments. Luten posted a 12-2 overall record, and Lejb wasn't far behind with a record of 9-2.
As a senior tri-captain, and one of the leaders in wins on the team, Lejb embraces the tandem that she and Luten compose together.
"I try to bring my experience to the younger players, and we try to provide confidence for them," Lejb said. "I'm definitely confident with Jen at the top spot. I love being in a leadership position, and I'm happy to be in that role."
According to coach Doug Eng, Lejb and Luten are the most complete players on the team. Eng attributes their shared success to the unique combination of aggressiveness, power and versatility that both players have. Both Luten and Lejb play as aggressive baseline and all-court players, meaning that they can play just about every shot fired at them. Power is also a key skill in tennis, and Luten and Lejb have the heaviest ground strokes on the team. Overall, both players are an asset for the Jumbos, especially considering the stiff competition in the NESCAC.
"The NESCAC in women's tennis is like the Big East and the ACC in basketball," Eng said. "Some of the most complete tennis players you'll see come out of the NESCAC. I feel confident throwing [Lejb and Luten] up against any team and know that they'll win."
Another strength in both Lejb's and Luten's games is their mentalities. Their success can be attributed to their mental toughness, which Eng believes is a key factor to winning in the sport.
"Tennis is a mental game," Eng said. "You have to have the most complete mental game to pull out the toughest matches. They have this, and we can rely on them to make the big shots at the right time."
According to Eng, the key to success this season, especially in the big matches, will be utilizing Lejb and Luten's arsenal of talent. This season, Eng plans on splitting both Lejb and Luten in doubles matches again, in order to create a more balanced attack.
Lejb will play with senior Neda Pisheva and Luten will team up with sophomore Kylyn Deary. Eng used this strategy at the New England Championships, and pulled away with two titles last season.
"[Pisheva] and I played together in doubles last fall," Lejb said. "It was a good fit. She's a net person, and I'm a baseliner. We both complement each other's style of play and can pull out big wins in important doubles matches."
Perhaps the most valuable asset that Luten and Lejb bring to the table, in terms of helping their teammates, is leadership. According to Eng, the athleticism of both players elevates everyone's game. This is especially true in practices, when each player is forced to play as well as the teammate she is facing that day on the court.
"Some athletes have the ability to bring their teammates up," Eng said. "In practices, they do this everyday by raising their sparring partner's abilities, and that forces the whole team to play better."
Lejb, Luten and the rest of the Jumbos will start the season off at California Lutheran on March 22.
