Freshmen look to contribute again after successful fall

Last year at this time, they hadn't even graduated from high school.

Now, freshmen additions to the women's tennis team Kylyn Deary, Jennifer Luten, and Stephanie Ruley will soon be taking to the courts to battle out the second-half of the NESCAC as well as selected national competition for the latter half of Tufts' split-season.

And while they may be young, the freshmen's experienced play and calm stature could spell veteran-style success for the team this coming spring season.

In the fall, Luten played third out of six in singles competition, and twice played higher, once in each the second and first positions. During regular season singles play, she amassed a perfect eight wins in eight tries. She also made it to the top four out of 32 competitors in the third position during post-season play held at Tufts in October.

"We played well last [fall] season," the freshman from St. Louis, Missouri said. "However, our tougher competition is in the [upcoming spring season]."

The first half of the season was played in the fall, with the Jumbos playing such common opponents as Trinity, Bowdoin, and MIT. However, the spring portion is considered more difficult, with Tufts scheduled to face off against Williams, Amherst, and Emory. Williams and Amherst were the only schools to finish ahead of the Jumbos in the fall's New England Championships, while Emory finished the fall ranked number one in the nation.

Luten also played number one doubles with junior Jennifer Lejb, and the tandem went a combined 7-1, the sole loss coming to Middlebury on the road. However, Luten isn't the only freshman making an impact.

Deary held the ranks either at the fifth or sixth singles positions, although she played as high as third at one point. Deary, like Luten, also completed the fall season without experiencing a loss, and expects big things ahead from the Jumbos squad, currently ranked third in the nation.

"I know personally for me and the other girls on the team that we're not just looking to be third in the nation, we're looking to be tops in the country," Deary said. "We have the potential this year to win nationals."

Indeed, a first place ranking in the nation would taste sweet for the Jumbos, who last year ended up second out of 11 teams in the NESCAC. The added depth and heightened level of play as a result of the newcomers this year could make that goal materialize.

"Last year, the team was very close to getting into the [national] tournament, it really had a chance and here we are again" said Ruley, who will be playing singles this spring. "Unfortunately, there were some serious injuries at the end of last season for the team."

The experience that all three freshmen bring to the table could help the Jumbos reach their goal come season's end. Luten has played tennis her whole life, rising through juniors and playing throughout high school. Both Deary and Ruley got serious about tennis in high school - Dreary switched over from soccer and Ruley began playing when she moved from New York to South Carolina.