Jumbos dominate Middlebury Invitational

While the 14th Annual Middlebury Invitational was a showcase for many different teams, Tufts and the Middlebury Panthers proved to be the dominant squads amongst a field which also included the University of Vermont, Union College, and Hamilton College. Although the outcome had no bearing on their league record, the Jumbos took five of the six singles and doubles matches in the tournament.

The finals of all of the flights in the tournament featured the face-offs between the Panthers and the Jumbos. In an illustration of Tufts' dominance, junior Barclay Gang defeated a fellow Jumbo, freshman Becky Bram, 6-1, 6-2 to win Flight A singles.

"Barclay is playing the best tennis I've ever seen her play," senior co-captain Iffy Saeed said. "I think she only had about two unforced errors that whole match. It was really amazing to watch."

Gang's surge did not end there, as she and sophomore Neda Pisheva proceeded to take the Flight A doubles title as well, defeating junior Sandy Spring and senior Ariella Neville of Middlebury 8-5.

The Jumbos' doubles sweep continued with senior co-captain Katie Nordstrom and senior Emily Warshauer battling to an 8-6 Flight B win over Panther juniors Nina Popel and Jenna Siegel. The Flight C match was not as close, as Saeed and sophomore Ashley Weisman took out sophomore Jeannie McIntosh and junior Kristin Baker 8-3. Though the score did not show it, that win did not come easily.

"I was battling a sinus infection all weekend," Saeed said. "I had to default from the singles draw because I was just too sick. But I should be ready for our next match."

The lone Jumbo finals loss came in the Flight C singles, where Saeed had made the semis before dropping out. Sophomore Trina Spear made it to the finals, and put up a fight against junior Panther Kristin Baker. Spear was down 6-4 in the final set before battling back to take the next game, and then finally faltering 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.

In the other singles final, Nordstrom beat Middlebury's Popel 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

All in all, Saeed felt the team played its best tennis in the tournament.

"We had an awesome weekend," Saeed said. "From freshmen to seniors, we really couldn't have asked for much more."

She added that it is certainly more than singles play driving the team's momentum.

"We have worked so hard on our doubles, and it has really paid off. If we can execute in those matches, cooperating with one another, it should carry over to our singles success," Saeed said.

Coach Jim Watson echoed those sentiments.

"This was just the way we want the team to be playing as we look ahead to Williams and Amherst," Watson said.

Before worrying about their NESCAC rivals, though, the undefeated Jumbos must head to Brandeis University on Thursday for a 4 p.m. showdown with the 5-2 Judges. Though this is not a league match, but Watson doesn't want it to be overlooked.

"[Brandeis] has improved considerably and has become a lot more competitive over the past few years," Watson said. "We can't take them lightly, and the old clich?© goes that you have to take it one game at a time and not look too far ahead. But honestly, Brandeis really will be a great tune-up for Williams and Amherst."

With the Ephs and the Lord Jeffs at the forefront of their minds, the Jumbos cannot afford to have any slipups before those matches. Confidence is an important characteristic to have on your side, and the way to maintain it is not only through good performance, but also through keeping the best players healthy.

"Jen Lejb was sick last week and now Iffy is a little under the weather," Watson said. "While we have the depth to overcome sickness or injury, we would rather have everyone healthy as we try to make it to the Nationals."

The National tournament consists of the top eight teams in Div. III and will be held at the University of Redlands in southern California. In the most recent poll, the Jumbos are ranked seventh in the country.