The Brandeis women's tennis team proved that they are going to be tough to handle this season as they easily shut-down Simmons in the season opener, 7-2.Jen Krueger '07, the 2004 UAA Rookie of the Year, charged over Alex Yudelevich 6-3, 6-0 in the No. 1 singles competition. Ana Katz '08 and Christine Clancy '06 followed suit, defeating their competition 6-3, 6-4 and 6-4, 6-1 in the No. 4 and No. 5 singles competitions respectively.

Colleen Donnelly '08 and co-captain Abby Lerner '05 both showcased their individual skills and their team talent by crushing their singles opponents and then rallying to overcome the Simmons' No. 1 doubles team.

Donnelly, in her collegiate debut, showed Amelia Clukey tough love, defeating her in No. 3 singles 6-0, 6-0. Ever the good role model for her teammates, Lerner easily finished off Simmons' No. 2 singles player 6-1, 6-1.

Late in the day, Lerner and Donnelly came together to post an 8-3 win in their doubles match.

"Our team has improved a lot this year because we have the help of two really good freshman who really strengthen the top of our lineup," Sarah Zonenshine '06 said, referring to Katz and Donnelly. "They both have very strong games, they dominate on the court. We have a very strong team this year."

"The doubles team looks very promising," co-captain Shani Reich '04 said. "I could say very confidently we have a very strong doubles lineup and there's a lot of potential there to win a lot of big matches"

The women's next match will be on Wednesday at Bentley College and Reich still sees plenty of room for improvement.

"Fitness is something we're going to emphasize a lot this season," Reich said. "Our tennis season is not a sprint it's a marathon. We have to be ready to play three or four matches in a row.