LEWISTON, Maine -- Led by a pair of senior captains, the Bates women's tennis team returns 10 players from last year's squad, which qualified for the NESCAC Championships for the first time in program history. The Bobcats are already 1-0 on the year after a 7-2 win over Endicott in the fall, and the spring season begins this Monday at 4pm when Bates visits NCAA Division II school Florida Southern College.

"Our women's and men's teams are so strong and fast and just explosive off the mark," head coach Paul Gastonguay '89 said. "Our conditioning's there. It's really the best we've ever come into our spring season."

Senior captain Joanna Atwater (Short Hills, N.J.) has frequently played at the No. 2 and No. 1 positions in doubles and singles throughout her time as a Bobcat and fellow senior captain Laura Littlefield (Ellicott City, Md.) has been a stalwart in the middle of the lineup for Bates. Littlefield teamed with senior Grace Kennedy (New York City) in the fall at No. 2 doubles to pick up a key win over the Gulls. 

"Our captains have really grown into their leadership role, their confidence, just their attitude on the court, the way they fight," Gastonguay said. "It's just such a great example for the team because they can look over and see both Joanna and Laura just never giving in. They're just battling to the end and they're a force." 

Junior Ally Friedman (East Hampton, N.Y.) teamed with Atwater in the fall after spending her entire sophomore season at No. 1 doubles with Anna Rozin '22. Friedman and Atwater advanced to the quarterfinals of the ITA Regional Championships and the finals of the Wallach Invitational, showing promising signs as the squad's top doubles team this spring. They are also vying for the top singles spot, with both having proved they can play there during their times as Bobcats.

The Bobcats have a lot of experience up and down their lineup, with senior Alexandra D'Aquino (Weston, Conn.) a constant last year in singles play and the sophomore team of Drew Williams (Guilford, Conn.) and Olivia Gidlow (Cleveland, Ohio) having played together all of 2021-22 at No. 3 doubles. 

Sophomores Ava Lyon (Naples, Fla.) and Elizabeth Frekko (Lake Forest, Ill.) will compete for spots in the starting lineup after impressive rookie seasons. Bates welcomes a pair of first-years to the team, who already picked up some wins in the fall. First-year Isabella Saul (Brooklyn, N.Y.) advanced to the semifinals of "C" flight singles play of the Wallach Invitational and first-year Grace LaFountain (New Hartford, N.Y.) picked up a win in the "C" flight in her collegiate debut. 

"We're ready for this long marathon of a season against the best teams in the country and I think it's going to pay dividends, all the work we did during the investment season." Gastonguay said. "So I'm looking forward to seeing what happens by the end."