Despite their lack of bodies, the women's tennis team is entering the season with high expectations and the No. 5 ranking in Division III. The team has seen its roster size decrease sharply, from 13 players last year to nine to start the year, and now to eight to start the season after junior Lauren Hollender was injured.
But what matters is who will be on the court, not who won't. On Sunday, the team of eight will kick off its campaign against Washington College in Maryland. Here, we take a look at four players who could have a big impact on the team's success.
Junior Lindsay Katz
Katz enters the season as the team's captain and only ranked player. She ended last year ranked 42nd for singles in all of Div. III and is going to have to improve even more to make up for the team losing national singles champion Julia Browne (LA '11). The biggest change for Katz off the court has been stepping into her new role as team leader.
"The biggest thing that has changed for me this year is that now I am the captain and an upperclassman, whereas last year I was an underclassman," Katz said. "I feel like more of a leader, especially because there are only three upperclassmen on the team."
On the court, Katz will occupy the No. 1 spot for both singles and doubles, and she will look to play a more aggressive game this year than she has in the past.
Sophomore Samantha Gann
Last year as a freshman, Gann was tossed right into the fire, starting at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles. This year, Gann, like most members of the team, is preparing to take on a bigger role. In the fall, she started at No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles, but with Hollender out, she will most likely move up to third singles. Ideally, Gann explained, she would like to improve enough not only so that she can help the team go far in the NCAA championships - the Jumbos reached the Elite Eight last year - but so that she can also have an opportunity to participate in the individual championships.
Sophomore Shelci Bowman
With a year of playing No. 1 doubles with Browne under her belt, Bowman will now move further into the spotlight. She will likely occupy the No. 2 singles position and once again will play No. 1 doubles, this time with Katz. Bowman feels ready for the new responsibilities.
"Since I was a freshman last year, I was definitely more intimidated by the competition, but now I am really looking forward to our matches this spring break," Bowman said. "I feel that, having had a year of experience already, I am better prepared for what's out there and am excited to see how the competition has changed since last year, because I know many teams got highly ranked recruits."
Bowman is looking for a chance to compete in the individual NCAA Championships, but more importantly, she has a lofty goal for the team: winning NCAAs.
"You can't reach a goal if you don't set it first," she said.
Senior Nathalie Schils
Schils enters the season as the only senior on the roster, and her presence and experience will be essential in guiding this talented but young team to success.
"As a senior this year, I hope to be a role model for the rest of the team and to enjoy this opportunity to play and compete with such an incredible group of girls," Schils said.
On the court, Schils will look to step into Lauren Hollender's spot on the No. 3 doubles team, where she will be paired up with sophomore Rebecca Kimmel.
She also hopes to see some time at No. 6 singles, which seems likely considering the team's thin roster.
