Riding that championship high, the Amherst men’s tennis team is ready to begin its quest to defend the Jeffs’ second ever NCAA Div. III title. After a nearly spotless spring season that featured 26 wins, the Jeffs had a perfect postseason, going 7-0 and capturing both the NESCAC and national championships.
The Amherst men’s tennis team will be welcoming a new head coach this year, Todd Doebler. A die-hard Philadelphia sports fan who still has been known to call into Philly sports talk radio, Doebler brings with him a love for the game as well as wide variety of coaching experiences, both at the Div. I and III level. He is excited to join the Amherst community, and the team is equally as excited to have him.
Q: Where are you from?
A: I am originally from Hatfield, Pa. Not too far from Philadelphia.
The strategic planning steering committee continued to make strides this summer, meeting in July for a retreat to review feedback, further define goals and prepare for the 2014-2015 academic year.
Launched in October 2013 under the direction of Provost Peter Uvin, the strategic planning committees are tasked with defining overarching goals for the college’s future.
New Dean of Students Amherst Alex Vasquez comes to Amherst from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. At Wheaton, Vasquez spent 13 years working in a variety of administrative roles, including positions in the dean of students office, the provost’s office, the advising office and the president’s office. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education at Boston College.
Women
After three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, head coach Jen Hughes and the Lady Jeffs set out to continue their impressive form in 2014. Finishing the 2013 season with a 10-4-3 record, the Jeffs found their way to the NCAA tournament through an at-large bid after falling to Trinity in the quarterfinals of NESCACs. In a back-and-forth battle against Messiah in the second round, Amherst saw its season come to a close, as the team failed to convert on several scoring opportunities, losing 2-0.
Riding high on a 22-win season, women’s tennis is more prepared than ever entering their 2014 fall campaign. Last season, the Jeffs won their eighth NESCAC Championship in the last 10 years. Earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, the Jeffs went on to defeat Endicott, MIT, Carnegie Mellon and Williams, before falling to Emory in the National Championship match.
