An NCAA Quarterfinals appearance along with the graduation of just one senior, the Middlebury women's tennis team is primed to make a deep postseason run again in 2015-16. In an 11-7 campaign in which the Panthers advanced to the quarterfinal round for the second time in three years and matches against many ranked opponents, the team has its sights set high.
The Panthers will be led by head coach Mike Morgan in his 10th season. Morgan ushers in a new season with eight returners that all saw significant playing time in 2014-15.
"Last year's team came together over the course of the year and became as close as any team I have ever coached," said Morgan. "They learned through good and even bad times what it takes to become a championship-level team that competes in grueling match situations."
Lost to graduation was Katie Paradies, a four-year contributor in both the singles and doubles lineup. Last season as an individual, she played from the #3 to #6 slots with a record of 16-12, picking up key points during many matches throughout the season. With Middlebury trailing 4-2, she clinched the team's fourth point during a thrilling 5-4 come-from-behind NCAA Regional Final over Bowdoin.
"Losing Katie was a big loss for us," noted Morgan. "During her four years, she was one of the fiercest competitors on the team. She battled and fought for each point."
Morgan brings back a team laden with experience under pressure. At the top of the lineup, a three-time All-American in senior Ria Gerger returns after squaring off with the opponents' top player all season. After studying abroad during the fall season, she posted a 15-4 record, including two winning streaks of four matches and a five-match unbeaten streak. A three-time NCAA Singles Tournament participant, she was ranked #6 nationally and as the #5 player in the region at the conclusion of last spring.
Fighting Gerger for that top position in the lineup will be junior Alexandra Fields. Selected as both the ITA's National Rookie of the Year as well as the Northeast Region's Rookie of the Year, Fields backed up that honor a season ago with a solid 13-7 record. Ranked in the northeast region's top 20 during all of 2014-15, Fields has been selected an All-NESCAC recipient in singles during each of the past two seasons. Grabbing the decisive fifth point during the Panthers' come-from-behind 5-4 victory over Bowdoin in the NCAA Regional Final, Fields will return to the Panther lineup after studying abroad during the fall semester.
The rest of the lineup is wide open with multiple players vying for spots. Junior Lily Bondy went 10-12 overall, including a 6-4 record in the third slot, while classmate Kaysee Orozco (13-11) anchored the #4 spot during the latter part of the spring and also saw time in the #2 and #3 spots, respectively. Senior Margot Marchese (pictured left) floated between the third through fifth spots last season, while classmate Sadie Shackelford (3-0) saw limited playing time in the lineup.
Other returners battling for a place in the lineup will be senior Lauren Amos, sophomore Shannon Gibbs along with some talented first-year players. Amos posted a perfect 3-0 record at the bottom of the lineup in limited action, while Gibbs went 9-6 in her first collegiate season.
"This is a team full of players with significant experience in big matches, so every person knows what it feels like to compete in this type of atmosphere and environment," said Morgan. "As our returners remember the lessons learned from last year, I am confident they will put that to use on the practice court and in turn translate it into competition."
In terms of doubles, Gerger and Bondy were named second-team All-NESCAC as well as All-Americans last spring atop the Middlebury lineup. The pair posted an 11-5 record, including a perfect 3-0 mark during Middlebury's NCAA Tournament run. In the final national rankings, the duo was ranked #7 as a tandem and fourth regionally. The other two doubles flights could feature any number of combinations looking to secure valuable team points.
"Our team is looking to build successful habits and practices one week at a time," stated Morgan. "When we establish those early in the fall, they will translate into the rest of the season. As we learn these habits, we can handle anything our difficult schedule throws at us."
The Panthers will open the fall portion of their schedule when they travel to Williams and take part in the Morehouse Invitational on September 12-13. Over the next month, the Panthers will play host to both the ITA Regional Championships from September 25-27 and the annual Middlebury Invitational from October 9-11. In the spring, Middlebury's schedule is loaded with nationally-ranked opponents.
"Playing seven top-10 ranked teams in the country is no small challenge," said Morgan. "There are some very talented up and coming teams who will most likely be breaking the top 10 as well. To have the opportunity to be the best is pretty special, and our team doesn't take this opportunity lightly. We are looking forward to the challenge ahead of us."
