In its season opener, Tufts' women's tennis team found itself in familiar territory.
Coming into Wednesday, the Jumbos had opened their season the same way in three of the past four fall seasons: with a convincing win over Smith.
This time was no different, as Tufts rolled into Northampton and came away with a 9-0 result.
The win marked the fifth straight fall in which the team opened its schedule with a win.
While Wednesday's result was largely expected, newly promoted head coach, Doug Eng, a longtime assistant in the program, knew how important it was to get off to a quick start.
"We're pretty much on target," Eng said. "[The match, itself] wasn't a major test."
Senior tri-captain Jennifer Lejb, who was one of two Jumbos to win 6-0, 6-0, thought the fact that it was the season opener prevented the Jumbos from looking past the Pioneers as capable opponents. Following her win over Smith senior co-captain Ruth Linz at second singles, she commented on the team's attitude going into their opening match, despite their status as heavy favorite to win.
"Everyone was a bit nervous because it was out first match," Lejb said. "But everyone stepped up."
The other Jumbo to post a 6-0, 6-0 result was sophomore Jen Luten, who defeated Pioneer senior co-captain Lauren Kemp in the first singles position. Luten, who posted a 19-5 mark playing first, second, and third singles in her freshman campaign, appeared ready to make the jump to the first position and received praise from Lejb.
"Jen Luten is playing great so far," Lejb said. "She came back [from summer break] looking really good."
Luten's classmate Kylyn Deary opened the season playing third singles after playing most of her freshman year in the sixth position, posting a 17-6 record in the process. With her 6-0, 6-1 defeat of Pioneer freshman Talia Williams, Deary appears a potential candidate to stay in the lineup all season.
Playing at fourth singles, senior tri-captain Trina Spear had the closest singles match of the day, as she defeated Smith freshman Shelly Kattan 6-3, 6-2. Spear, who was 9-1 in limited singles action last season, is also aiming to join Deary as an integral member in the middle of the singles lineup this fall.
"Kylyn and Trina have really come up a lot [in the lineup,]" Luten said. "They're really showing that they deserve to be there."
Eng was also especially pleased with the performance of the lone freshman in his opening-day lineup, Lani Ackerman, who defeated Smith's Whitney Browne, also a freshman, 6-0, 6-2.
"We're pretty happy with the way [Lani] got adjusted so quickly," he said.
Rounding out Wednesday's singles lineup was sophomore Stephanie Ruley at sixth singles. Her 6-0, 6-1 win over Pioneer sophomore Jane Nylund pushed her career singles mark to 2-0. Look for Ruley to get plenty more opportunities this fall to add to her singles mark.
Also garnering much praise from Eng was the team's doubles play, as he highlighted getting aggressive early in points as an important part of the squad's doubles style this season. Senior tri-captain Neda Pisheva, who played second doubles, was also pleased with everyone's poised performances.
"Overall it was a very solid first match, and everyone came out playing very aggressive tennis," Pisheva said. "We were moving especially well in the doubles, cutting off the angles up at net. Today's match was a great start to our season."
The sophomore pairing of Luten and Deary teamed together to post an 8-2 win over Kemp and Williams in the first position, while their senior teammates Lejb and Pisheva put together an 8-4 result over Linz and Kattan. Spear and Ackerman successfully teamed up at third doubles for an 8-2 win over Browne and Kody Hill-Davis to round out the doubles action.
While the result was certainly a positive one for the Jumbos, there is still much work left to do the get into midseason form. Lejb likely echoed her teammates' sentiments with her comments regarding the state of her game.
"I don't feel quite there yet," Lejb admitted. "It [my game] will come back. It just needs time."
Lejb and Tufts will face a bigger test tomorrow, as they open their home schedule with their first NESCAC match-up, as they host Colby. Despite having a 9-0 win over the Mules under their belt from last fall, Eng knows the team's opposition will only get harder as the season continues.
"Colby is definitely going to be more of a test," Eng said. "They can give us some trouble in some matches at the top [of the lineup.]"
Tomorrow's action begins a 1 p.m. at the Voute Courts.
