Former captains left their mark

Last spring, the women's tennis team was denied an opportunity to compete together as a team in the NCAA National Div. III Championships. However, they did not go unrepresented in the three-day tournament. Then-sophomore Jen Lejb and freshman Rebecca Bram to carried the Brown and Blue flame in the singles tournament, and the duo of Lejb and graduated senior Katie Nordstrom to throw in their ante in doubles.

However, Lejb will need a new doubles partner this year, as Nordstrom has since moved on into the real world. Also gone from the collegiate ranks is graduate Iffy Saeed, who, along with Nordstrom, contributed four years to the team. Both Saeed and Nordstrom were leaders in their final season as co-captains.

Over the course of four years, Nordstrom and Saeed combined for 109 career season singles wins, while accumulating just 35 losses. Nordstrom, usually playing from the number two, three, or four spot, went 20-3 last season, while Saeed quietly amassed a 23-2 record from the number five and six spots-- including a clutch win over Williams' Tracy Cheung in the C bracket at last year's NESCAC tournament.

It was in doubles, however, where Nordstrom really made her mark. In all but three matches, Nordstrom played as one member of the number one doubles team, usually with Lejb. Over her career, she earned a 32-14 record in various duos--with Lejb she was 25-9. This success career culminated with the berth in the national tournament, where the pair was knocked out early in the first round by Elena Blanina and Carla Simpson of Methodist.

While losing both Saeed and Nordstrom was tough for the team, the influx of talented freshmen has helped to fill the shoes left by the former captains. The team certainly did not miss a beat in the fall, going undefeated in regular matches.

"Both Saeed and Nordstrom were very good players," Lejb said. "But the really strong freshmen we have added have just as much, if not more, talent. They are also younger, which pushes them because they want to prove something."

Perhaps the biggest obstacle the team had to overcome, and one that the freshmen couldn't fill, was the leadership void left by the two departed captains. Both led by example, particularly Saeed, who was known for her mental toughness and consistency (58-11 career record). Senior captain Barclay Gang stepped into this role, and juniors Lejb and Trina Spear also came into leadership roles this season.

"We have had to step up a little bit and give guidance to the younger players," Lejb said. "We want to give them a good example, so when they are in our position, they will know what to do."