It seemed fitting that Jayme Ahmed '05, one of most unassuming star athletes at this school, had to be told by a spectator after her win Friday versus Brown that she had captured the two most prestigious records in the history of Big Green women's tennis.
The Big Green's top player had just broken Sarita Yardi '02's mark for most total matches won by a Dartmouth player by notching her 133rd victory of her storied career, and also surpassed the Carly Bashleben '02 record for most career singles triumphs earlier in the season.
Ahmed's self-effacing nature belies her fierce competitive spirit on the tennis court, a quality that helped her accrue 71 singles wins along with 62 doubles victories over her four years in Hanover.
The senior co-captain has saved some of her best play for her last season, as the Montague mauler earned a national ranking in both singles and doubles over the course of the year.
Ahmed eclipsed the total wins mark in her final home match, a fitting exit for Dartmouth's most successful player.
"The play of our team captain has been really inspiring for the rest of us this year and it just seemed right that she should break the all-time winning record for Dartmouth women's tennis at her last home match," Lindsay Winingham '07 said.
Ahmed began her freshman year as the No. 4 player in the Big Green singles lineup before moving up a spot later in her first campaign. During her sophomore year, Ahmed ascended to the top spot in the ladder, a position she has occupied for three consecutive seasons.
Despite always having to play against the best player on each of Dartmouth's adversaries, Ahmed has collected many outstanding victories against consistently tough competition.
She toppled nationally ranked opponents from Florida Atlantic, Missouri and South Carolina, as well as contributing multiple key victories against Ivy League rivals. In her senior season, Ahmed has rolled off five straight wins against Ancient Eight foes.
The fantastic fourth-year has also attained success in doubles play with a wide range of partners.
From her first main doubles partner, Lisa Borowsky '05, to her current one, Megan Zebroski '08, Ahmed has always provided solid play in doubles competition.
"It's always fun to play doubles with her," Zebroski said. "Our styles of play go really well together, and I'm definitely going to miss playing doubles with her next year."
Ahmed has already collected significant honors for her play, including team MVP awards, a spot on the All-Ivy first team and the honor of serving as team captain in her senior season. Her consistent play on the court in addition to her invaluable leadership has undoubtedly helped Dartmouth to a number of excellent victories and a national ranking over the last four years.
"It was so exciting to find out that Jayme broke the win record yesterday," Zebroski added. "She is such a talented player, and she really deserves to be recognized for her accomplishments."
Ahmed's talent and leadership will be sorely missed next year, yet the quietly driven star has produced a sparkling career that can now be admired by fans of Dartmouth tennis in the years to come.
