The women's tennis team proved to the world that they're no longer a weak Ivy League opponent, as they nipped both Princeton and Cornell by the narrowest of margins, 5-4, this weekend. The wins bumped the Big Green into third place in the Ivy League and improved the team's overall record to 8-7.
Although Coach Chris Kerr's squad was unable to win a single Ancient Eight contest last season, the Big Green have rebounded this season, showing that they can bounce back quickly. Having lost a couple of close matches earlier in the season due to erratic doubles play, Kerr implemented a switch in the line-up -- and that has made all the difference.
An ecstatic Allison Taff '00 complimented her teammates for pulling out the doubles matches. "Our doubles did it for us," she said. "Both matches came down to doubles and this time we all pulled through. It was the epitome of a team effort in which everyone was responsible for winning."
On Friday, the Big Green rallied behind superb singles play of captain Kallie Buehler '97. Buehler smoked Tiger Kerry Patterson 6-1, 6-3 in a blowout at Leverone Field House. From the opening game, it was clear that the senior was not in the mood for a long match. Buehler bested Patterson in all phases of the game and cruised to an easy win.
The Big Green earned their two other singles victories from Rebecca Dirksen '00 and Sarah Anderson '99 at No. 1 and No. 6, respectively. While Dirksen rallied from a set down to pull out another clutch three-setter, Anderson demolished her opponent in two frames.
With the score knotted at three, Dartmouth relied on its No. 1 and No. 2 doubles tandems to seal the victory. After Dirksen and Taff won 8-6, Buehler and Anderson, a team that had never competed together, steamrolled over their opponents, 8-1, to ice the match.
On Saturday, Dartmouth played with similar tenacity as it defeated the Cornell Big Red, 5-4. Although Dirksen dropped her first singles match of the season, the rest of the Big Green were able to capture three singles matches, including a straight set win by Kallie Buehler. Buehler remains undefeated in singles competition this season.
After Anderson and Buehler gave Dartmouth a 4-3 lead while recording a bagel, 8-0, the match came down to the two freshmen, Taff and Dirksen.
Dirksen proved to be unfazed by her singles loss, as she blistered serves past her opponents relentlessly. With Dirksen launching bombs, Taff showcased her accuracy, painting lines like Dutchboy with her groundstrokes to seal the victory for Dartmouth.
The Big Green will be on the road next weekend, as they travel to play Brown and Yale.
