Despite losing two of the three doubles matches, Rachel Decker-Sadowski '14 and Sabrina Stewart '14 won 8-6 at the No. 3 slot. The Eagles' top doubles team, ranked No. 11 in the nation, defeated Jeri Reichel '13 and Melissa Matsouka '14, 8-3.
Co-captain Sarah Leonard '13 said that while doubles are not necessarily more important than singles, they can often decide matches.
Doubles teams are selected by head coach Robert Dallis, but usually reflect a mix of comparable skills and personalities that mesh well. Both Leonard and Carpeni mentioned that the team is reenergized coming back in the winter after a fall season dominated by individual competitions.
"We are really excited to finally be in the winter season, since the fall is very individually based," said Carpeni. "[This past weekend] showed us why we love to play on the Dartmouth tennis team."
This season Carpeni said the team has been particularly focused on their fitness, and said she feels she is in the shape of her life.
"Each year the fitness gets progressively a little harder," said Carpeni. "It's a new goal, getting to a [fitness] level and then implementing it."
Although Akiko Okudo '15 was the only freshman able to play in the first match, Carpeni said that the freshmen have been impressive to watch so far and are on their way to "making a big impact on the team this year."
Leonard echoed Carpeni's sentiment and said that the freshmen's passion for the game and personalities fit with the culture of the team.
"[It's] really cool every year to get a new set of personalities to play against and different game styles," Leonard said.
Coming off a 2011 season in which the Big Green split the Ivy League title with Yale University, Leonard said her attitude is to focus on a clean slate for the season. The team graduated three seniors last year.
"Nothing that happened last year carries over it is the hard work and all that good stuff that will get us to another Ivy Championship this year," Leonard said.
The Big Green's next match will feature more intense, high-level competition as the squad travels to Chicago for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Indoor Kickoff Weekend, featuring the top 60 teams in the country.
After returning from Chicago, the Big Green's next big competition will come at the ECAC Indoor Tennis Championships, held at Yale on Feb. 17.
"Everything culminates in [Ivy League play], and this year we will be defending the title," Shelley said. "The ECACs are a great opportunity in the winter because it's basically only Ivies there, so we get a chance to see them before the spring."
