The women's tennis team set their goals high this season, and didn't have much trouble attaining most of them.
Not only did the Jumbos set a new school record for wins in a season, but they also hosted the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history and posted another program first by winning a match in the NCAA second round.
After a disappointing finish in the NESCAC Tournament, a 5-2 loss against Williams in the opening round, the team hoped for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. With three other NESCAC teams sitting above the Jumbos in the national rankings, the chances of the NESCAC receiving four at-large bids seemed slim.
Not only did the NCAA give Tufts an at-large, but the committee also chose the Jumbos as a host for the first round, marking the first time in school history Tufts has hosted an NCAA tennis event.
"The team was very excited about receiving an at-large," senior tri-captain Kylyn Deary said. "That was our first time ever hosting any tournament. It is always an advantage to play at home, because you know the courts and don't have to travel."
The Jumbos hosted a six-team regional consisting of SUNY New Paltz, Williams, Wellesley, Skidmore and Roger Williams. The Jumbos met up with SUNY New Paltz in the first round of the tournament and dealt with the Hawks easily, 5-0. The match featured three doubles wins for the Jumbos, which was a highlight for a squad that struggled with doubles play in NESCACs.
"I definitely think that New Paltz was our match to get back on track," senior tri-captain Jen Luten said. "The doubles was a little shaky at first and then we completely dominated. It definitely felt good to go up 3-0 after our trouble with doubles matches recently."
In the No. 1 doubles spot, the duo of Luten and Deary earned a quick and decisive 8-1 win. No. 2 and 3 doubles followed their lead, with junior Andrea Cenko and freshman Meghan McCooey pulling out an 8-3 win in the No. 2 spot and the pair of sophomore Mari Homma and rookie Erica Miller doing the same with an 8-3 win in the No. 3 spot.
"We were ready to play on Friday and were well rested," Deary said. "Everyone knew that they had to step up their doubles play after a disappointing finish at NESCACs. Our team did what we do best, and we stepped up for the first round of the national tournament."
With the opening-round win, the Jumbos set themselves up for a rematch with the Wellesley Blue, to whom they had lost 5-4 to end their regular season. This time around, the Jumbos showed up to play, winning the second-round match 5-3.
The doubles teams were strong again for the Jumbos. Though Luten and Deary suffered a disappointing 8-5 loss in the No. 1 spot, the No. 2 and 3 doubles stepped up and earned 8-6 and 8-5 wins, respectively.
"After being beaten in such a close match against Wellesley in the regular season, we knew what had to change to make the match go our way," Deary said. "The difference was our doubles, taking two of three. We had the momentum going into singles."
"We played consistent and aggressive doubles," coach Kate Bayard said. "We created openings side-to-side and front-and-back, then went for shots once we set them up. At the same time, we kept ourselves out of trouble when we were in defensive situations. The team showed a new level of awareness on the doubles court."
In singles the Jumbos got a 6-1, 6-2 win from Luten in the No. 1 spot, along with a 6-2, 7-6 win coming from Deary at No. 5. Homma gave the Jumbos the third singles win in the No. 6 spot with a 7-5, 6-4 victory, which was all they needed. With the win, Tufts set a new record for wins in a season with 13, and advanced to the final round to face Williams for the second time this season.
The Ephs were ready the second time around, slamming Tufts 5-0. Luten and Deary put up a tough fight in the No. 1 doubles spot, but lost 9-7, and many of the singles matches were close but were called off after Williams clinched the victory.
Although the loss ended the season, the Jumbos put together one of their most successful seasons in program history, setting the school record for singles wins and winning a second-round NCAA Tournament match. Additionally, Luten set the school record for career singles wins and was honored as an All-NESCAC selection.
The Jumbos will lose four seniors to graduation - Luten, Deary, Stephanie Ruley, who was sidelined for most of the season, and Silvia Schmid, who played No. 4 singles for the Jumbos.
"The four seniors were a huge part of this team's success this year both on and off the court," Bayard said.
