The addition of a new coach typically begets a number of questions and anxieties. Will she get along with the team? Will she mesh with the rest of the coaching staff? Does she grasp the intricacies of the players' games? Can she relay information about opposing teams? Will she be comfortable living and working in the school's area?
For Jayme Ahmed '05, the new Dartmouth women's tennis assistant coach, the answer to each of the above questions is an unequivocal yes.
After concluding an undergraduate career that saw her shatter the most storied records in Dartmouth women's tennis history, Ahmed will return to Hanover this fall to help guide her former team from the sidelines.
"Since we can't have Jayme playing for us anymore, I guess having her coach us is the next best thing," Maggie Suydam '08 said. "We're really excited to keep her around for another year."
Ahmed will take over for the departing Jesse Medvene-Collins, who accepted the assistant coach position at Wake Forest University.
Having played for Dartmouth the last four years gives Ahmed a unique perspective on both her teammates and the Big Green's opponents. This knowledge should help Ahmed impart useful advice during practice sessions as well as during matches.
Ahmed will try to help convey to the current team the methods behind her historic tenure with the Big Green. As a player, Ahmed set the record for career victories in school history with 135 wins, passing Sarita Yardi '02's total of 132. The Montague, N.J. native also established a new record for singles triumphs in a career (72), total wins in a season (48), and tied the school record for doubles victories in a year (26).
Ahmed, along with head coach Bob Dallis, will have a number of outstanding players under her tutelage this year. The graduation of Ahmed leaves a crop of young but talented competitors at the top of the lineup, led by Lindsay Winingham '07. Captains Ann Scott '06 and Kathryn Jaxheimer '06 will provide veteran leadership to go along with their skilled play, and a promising class of freshmen -- Danielle Murray, Jennifer Murray and Jamie Caplan -- will look to contribute during their first year with the Big Green.
The Big Green will strive to improve on last year's 3-4 mark in Ivy League play while building off the success of last season. Dartmouth managed to reach No. 63 in the national rankings in March of 2005 and held onto a national ranking into mid-April.
Ahmed's leadership and experience will assuredly help the Big Green racketeers navigate through the lengthy season, including the all-important conference schedule.
"I'm really excited to have Jayme as our new assistant coach," Megan Zebroski '08 said. "She really cares about our team, and she knows what it takes to do well in the Ivy League. While we will miss her talent on the court, I'm sure her knowledge of the game and her experience will help us succeed this year."
While the team is excited about Ahmed rejoining the program, Medvene-Collins will also be missed.
"Our team will certainly miss Jesse," Jaxheimer said. "He always had a great attitude during each practice, and was very gracious in volunteering his time to hit with each player on an individual basis."
"Of course we will miss him," Zebroski added, "but I completely support his decision to take the position of assistant coach at Wake Forest. This is a great opportunity for him, and I'm sure he will help his new team succeed."
After the exit of Medvene-Collins late in the summer, Dallis effectively resolved a potentially uncertain situation by quickly adding Ahmed to fill the vacancy on the staff.
"Bringing an alum into the program just helps solidify the traditions of Dartmouth tennis," Dallis said. "It makes it very easy for young players to learn more about the history of Dartmouth tennis. Having an alum shows people how much a former player cares about the program."
Ahmed's willingness to return to her alma mater speaks volumes not only about the team members, but also of the quality of Dartmouth and its burgeoning tennis program.
"It's an honor to coach a team with such admirable work ethic and character," Ahmed said. "I'm glad that I can give back to the program after gaining so much from it."
While Ahmed's tennis skills and institutional knowledge are obvious benefits to the program, the relationship she developed over the years with her teammates will help keep a positive team dynamic.
"The team was delightfully surprised with the selection of Jayme as our assistant coach," Winingham said. "It is nice to have someone who we already know will get along great with the team and at the same time is really intelligent and will be extremely helpful on the court."
The Dartmouth women's tennis team begins its preseason training this fall, and faces its first competition at the Yale Invitational in mid-September.
