Already having experienced a changing roster and a reshuffled lineup due to studying overseas and graduation, the 1-3 fencing team will be faced with more changes as fencers come and go in the next semester.
"One graduated, two are abroad and two had academic advisors recommend they not do it, so we've been starting a bunch of new people," sophomore Sarah Danly said.
Currently, five starters are first years, two of whom have never fenced before. Abigail Hepworth, a freshman, experienced substantial success in a Dec. 3 match against Harvard, one of the top fencing teams in the nation. Hepworth won two out of three épée bouts, including one against a class A fencer.
Danly, a sabreuse, has been one of the bright spots on the team so far, winning all nine of her bouts in the Jumbos' opening weekend Nov. 22, in which they beat Yeshiva 16-11 and lost to Wellesley and Stevens Tech. Behind Danly, the sabre squad won its weapon in each match.
Following the break, the roster will face more turnover heading into the first conference meet on Jan. 23 at Boston College.
"[Juniors] Caccy Bowlus and Soraya Alivandi — I think they plan on returning," Danly said. "We also have [junior] Georgia Ranes going abroad in the spring, which is when the majority of our big meets are."
Aside from the Boston College meet, the Jumbos will attend the Brandeis Invitational and host New York University the following weekend. As a relatively new squad, Tufts will work to get in some extra practice over break before the schedule gears up.
"We might come back early to practice for the first time in a while," Danly said. "We might be training over the break."
