Without playing a single match, the Brandeis University women's tennis team is winning big as they prepare for a new era under Head Coach Rocky Jarvis. This is not due to a new scoring system, but the fact that the Judges have two of the top-15 Division III female players in the country in Jane Chae '05 and Abby Lerner '05. Chae has the distinction of being the first woman in Brandeis history selected to play in the NCAA Division III singles championships, an honor she earned last season when the Amherst native recorded an impressive 17-5 record, maintaining the number 12 ranking in the country. Although Chae lost in the first round of the championships to seventh-seed Becca Dutton of Scripps College, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, she played not only the closest match of the entire tournament, but the only first round match in which a non-seeded player took a set off a seeded opponent.

"Jane is among the elites in the country," Coach Rocky Jarvis said.

Lerner had an equally successful season last year, saving her best for last at the University Athletic Association championships at Washington University in April. In St. Louis, Lerner led the Judges to a third-place finish by going 5-1 in the tournament in singles and doubles, including a victory in the clinching match of the third-place showdown against New York University (an 8-1 doubles win with partner Shani Reich '06).

In addition to Chae and Lerner, the Judges' fourth, fifth and sixth singles players from last season - Reich, Ora Wexler '04, and Katie Albert '04 - all return with their sights set on a UAA title. Joining those established veterans are several promising first years, one of whom is expected to crack the starting lineup in both singles and doubles.

The women's team also has two new coaches, Head Coach Rocky Jarvis and Assistant Coaches Matt Porter and Lindsey Schantz arrive at a time when the women's program is looking to make a national name for itself. Jarvis, the coach of the men's team for the past six years, replaces Judy Houde who retired after coaching the women's team for an astounding 30 seasons. Jarvis has coached women's tennis before, having spent two years as the coach at Leslie College in Cambridge.

Jarvis said he is excited to be coaching the women in addition to the men. "I'm thrilled to be doing this," Jarvis said, adding that he feels no pressure succeeding Houde and her 30-year legacy of success. "I don't feel any pressure but I do feel an obligation to get the program into a high position," he continued.

Porter, a Rollins College graduate and former NCAA Division II singles champion, is now a doubles specialist, and Schantz has been brought in to improve the overall fitness of the team.

"I think we will all learn a lot from (the coaches)," veteran Ora Wexler '04 said. "Not only that, but I think everyone is having so much fun out there, and that really is a motivating factor."

Brandeis' intriguing combination of experienced athletes and a savvy collection of coaches give the Judges an excellent chance to improve upon last season's 11-9 record, as well as the opportunity to achieve a coveted national ranking. One reason it all may become a reality is that the team's biggest weakness last season is no longer a factor.

"We have a lot of depth all of a sudden, and the only thing that held us back was lack of depth," Jarvis said. "We have three or four first-years who could provide us with some serious depth."

Another important factor is scheduling, said Jarvis. "I have every intention of scheduling matches with all the teams we need to beat."

While it is natural to be optimistic going into a new season, the women's tennis team has especially good reason to be so upbeat.

"I just think that we have such a good team this year," Wexler added, "and I'm really motivated to work hard, especially with the new coaches who have so much confidence in us. I'm just really looking forward to this season."

The Judges begin their season on September 11 at home against cross-town rival Bentley College at 4 p.m.

While the Judges expect to challenege for the UAA title, they will face stiff competition from Washington University and Emory University, the one and two finishers in the league last season. In the championships last year, the Judges lost to Wash U. 7-2. The lone winners were Lerner and Vera Chen '03.