In her third year at the helm, Coach Diane Heinold looks to continue the improvement she has brought to the program in her previous two years as coach.  Missing out on the tournament by one game last year, the 2015 team — led by senior captain Sarah Armstrong and junior captains Mary Healy and Julia Sandquist — will use the experience of their returning players to improve on their record last year.  Only losing three players to graduation, the team looks to qualify for the postseason for the first time with Heinhold at the helm.

“I like our team this year,” said Sandquist, who was part of first doubles last year along with fellow captain Healy. “We have the same core group as last year and that experience can really help us.”

This season will be a unique one, with the snow-covered courts making it impossible to play so far. The team has been relegated to playing indoors twice a week at the Brown Billone Club in Easton.

However, the team believes the hampered practice time will have little impact on their play.

Another important asset to the team is junior Alyssa Rosen, who was the team’s first singles last year and was named a 2014 Bay-State Conference All Star.

“I want to do everything I can to help our team get into the tournament,” said Rosen.

Due to graduation, there are two holes in the lineup: the hole at second singles left by Hannah Miller, and the hole at second doubles previously held by Emily Brynes and Nicole Mallory.  Last year’s third singles Erin Pitman most likely will move up a slot, and the second doubles will be left to an open competition by other players.

Despite the scheduling problems caused by the extended winter and the lineup holes, the team remains focused on their number one goal.

“Our goal this season is to make it to tournament,” said Sandquist.  “Anything less is a failure.”