But four top-flight upper-classmen gives Tabor the ability to run with top squads in the conference, according to coach Michael Hagen.
?With the competitors we have on this team, you know that they will go out and compete with all of the tough competition,? Hagen said.
On Thursday, Junior Laurel Delamater showed the form that makes her one of the top players in the conference, defeating Bethel?s Maya Kehr, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
?Laurel is definitely one of the best female players in our conference,? Hagen said. ?She will compete well with everyone that she is matched up with, even the top players from the stronger teams.?
Delamater and senior Ashley Helmley both earned first-team all-conference honors last season.
On Thursday, Helmley defeated Bethel?s Jana Jensen, 6-3, 6-0.
Danni Frick, who lost 6-7, 5-7 to Katie Robertson on Thursday, is a senior coming off a second-team all-conference performance last season.
The third senior on the squad is Erica Scofield, who lost 6-2, 6-0 to Bethel?s Sara Pugh.
?Danni, Ashlee and Erica are all great assets to this women?s team,? Hagen said. ?Not only are they great players, but they also provide great leadership to the incoming players.?
Freshmen Amanda Wann and Stefani Welz also played against Bethel. Wann lost to Amy Castle, 2-6, 4-6, and Welz defeated Heather Robertson, 6-1, 6-4.
In doubles, Delamater and Helmley defeated Bethel?s top pairing of Kehr and Castle, 8-6.
According to Hagen, the conference is deep on the women?s side, with Tabor and Bethel aiming at taking the top spots from Bethany and Southwestern.
Coming?Tabor played against Newman at home on Monday, but results were not available at press time. .
The Bluejays travel to Lindsborg on Wednesday for a match against Bethany.
