The women’s tennis team kick- started its season this weekend at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology International Tennis Association regional tournament. The Judges were looking to improve from their mediocre 11-10 record from their 2015 campaign. Last season, the Judges struggled in the tournament, with only one player advancing past the first round when Keren Khromchenko ’19 was able to double-bagel her Smith College opponent. Aside from Khromchenko, the Judges were unable to slide past their tough competition.

This year went the same way for the Judges, who were barely able to break through the first round of the invitational. On the singles side, Haley Cohen ’18, who filled the 12th seed, was able to power past her Wellesley College opponent in an impressive 6-3, 6-0 win. However, Cohen was unable to overpower Tufts freshman Mina Karamercan, who won the two sets 6-0, 6-2 in a crushing match.

Olivia Leavitt ’19 was up next in the 46th-seeded spot, facing off against a tough Wheaton College opponent. Leavitt was able to push the match to a tie-breaker after a well-fought 3-6 first-set win. After the first set, Leavitt lost her momentum, losing 6-4 and then falling 10-1 in a deflating tiebreaker loss. Leavitt looked to have the edge but was ultimately unable to follow through. 

Sabrina Ross Neergaard ’20 fell into the 51st slot, losing a tough matchup against junior Jackie Calla from Amherst College. The first set proved to be an exciting battle, with a back-and-forth war that ended in a 7-5 victory by Calla. Calla then went on the take the entire set, allowing Neergaard only one game in a 6-1 loss.

The Judges had a tough time in the singles bracket, due to their solid regional foes and lack of experience. The Judges have only one junior on the roster, with four sophomores and a lone first-year, in Neergaard.

The Judges fared similarly in the doubles bracket, with neither doubles team reaching the second round of the tournament.

Cohen and Sophia He ’19 matched up in the 11th slot against a formidable Middlebury College duo. Senior Kaysee Orozco and sophomore Christina Puccinelli faced off to begin the Judge’s doubles campaign. The Brandeis duo was able to scrape a few games away from Middlebury, but ultimately fell 8-3 in the final score.

Next to enter the court was Neergaard and Leavitt, set against Bowdoin College. Senior Joulia Likhanskaia and senior Samantha Stalder handed the Judges the second loss of the day in the doubles bracket, winning 8-2 as they advanced to the second round.

The Judges have had a difficult time coping with losing multiple seniors who graduated last year and, so far, have been unable to regroup. The team had a solid roster of 11 players, which was cut down by over 25 percent to an unsustainable seven players this season. As the burden of play begins to strengthen, the Judges will need to look for a way to alleviate the stress of constant competition.

 The Judges next play at the New England Women’s Intercollegiate Tennis tournament in South Hadley starting Oct. 14. The Judges will face off against similar opponents but will hopefully be better prepared and ready for the competition. The Judges only competed in the doubles tournament last season, amassing multiple wins in the doubles portion. Leavitt and Cohen won both of their matches and will look to emulate their previous success. If the duo can handle their opponents, they can give the Judges a shot at a winning season.