For most teams at Tufts, ending the season ranked No. 18 in the nation would be considered a resounding success. But for the 2006-07 men's squash team, it was a disappointing finish to a once-promising season.
After appearing at the Hoehn Division of the College Squash Association Nationals - comprised of teams ranked ninth to 16th - for the first time in 17 years, the team had started the 2006-07 campaign with high hopes.
Yet the Jumbos finished with a 12-13 record and had to settle for a spot in the Summers Division of the CSA Nationals, teams ranked between 17th and 24th. One year later, the squad is approaching this season with a renewed sense of optimism.
"This is the strongest team I've been on in my four years here," senior tri-captain Jake Gross said. "Our goal is to finish the season ranked in the 12 to 14 range."
"Last year we were ranked 16th in the preseason and we ended up 18th, so that was disappointing," senior tri-captain Kris Leetavorn said. "We're going to make a strong commitment during each practice this year, because that's what matters."
Gross returns as the team's No. 1 player, and he'll be joined at the top of the lineup by his younger brother Alex, a talented freshman who'll be playing at No. 2. Leetavorn and fellow senior tri-captain Nelson Schubart will provide a veteran presence for the middle of the lineup. Three other freshmen - Ben Rind, Kevin Fitzgerald, and Andrew Kim - round out a strong class and will all receive playing time this year.
Despite the obvious pressure of playing No. 2 as a freshman, Alex Gross isn't worried about playing in the shadow of his older brother.
"It's a huge advantage having someone who knows how to push me to my fullest extent," Gross said of his older brother. "And in game situations, he can come by and give me strategy tips, like a second coach. I think playing in the Juniors the past five or six years has prepared me well for tough matches."
"He's good and talented," Jake Gross said of Alex. "But the big thing is that he moves everyone else down a spot."
The addition of the four freshmen has also added a new dimension to the team.
"We've always had good strength at the top of the lineup and been vulnerable to other teams at the bottom of our lineup, but this year we have newfound depth," Leetavorn said. "[The captains] expect the team to perform well this year. The last couple years we've been a team of youth. This year we have [more] experience."
This experience will allow the Jumbos to turn around some of the mistakes that doomed them last season.
"In the longer matches, when they go four or five games, some guys can lose focus or lose their edge," Jake Gross said. "But with more experience this year, we'll see what happens."
Key matches on the schedule include Bowdoin, a team that beat the Jumbos 5-4 last season, and Brown.
"Bowdoin will be a big game," Leetavorn said. "We always measure our strength against them. And I think we have a good chance to do well against Brown."
The Jumbos open with three matches this weekend. They play a home match against Conn. College this evening, an away match at Williams tomorrow, and another match at MIT on Sunday. The Williams matchup should provide a tough early-season challenge for Tufts.
"Conn. College is our first NESCAC match, but I've been told they're not the hardest opponent," Alex Gross said. "Williams will be a big test, so we'll have to play hard and see where our guts are. MIT is another game where we can just work on our shots and try to make some progress."
If Tufts is to accomplish its goal of playing in the Hoehn Division, it will need strong performances from the Gross brothers all season. That's fine with Jake, who sets high enough expectations all by himself.
"My individual goal is to be an All-American," he said. "I'm excited to get started."
