[oldalum]

Also, we haven't talked about her much this year, but Lampl has been outstanding. Hasn't lost in a dual match yet, and she knocked off UW's Stacey Fung and Cal's Olivia Hauger in her run to the Northwest Regional final. 

It's hard to judge just how much of a leap she's taken because she plays at #3 and thus isn't facing the same sorts of challenges that Lord and Gordon face every week, but when she has been tested so far (Vanderbilt, Georgia, Texas), she's come up big. And aside from the two 3-set wins against Vanderbilt and Georgia, she's been winning comfortably, drubbing the people she should drub, which isn't always easy, so that's a nice sign.

IMO Lampl is the most improved player on the team from last year. She is noticeably better this year: she can now hit a screaming first serve, as fast as Lord's and I think faster than Gordon's; she can hit her ground strokes faster on both sides, but the biggest change is that she is more consistent. In the past she'd often take a set to find her range, and would squander a game or two with unforced errors, she's gotten a lot more consistent. 

As for the Lord/Gordon 1/2 issue, what a good problem to have! Maybe it's as simple as this being Lord's senior year, or that Lele thought Lord would benefit from the challenge of playing at #1.

[oldalum]

Also, we haven't talked about her much this year, but Lampl has been outstanding. Hasn't lost in a dual match yet, and she knocked off UW's Stacey Fung and Cal's Olivia Hauger in her run to the Northwest Regional final. 

It's hard to judge just how much of a leap she's taken because she plays at #3 and thus isn't facing the same sorts of challenges that Lord and Gordon face every week, but when she has been tested so far (Vanderbilt, Georgia, Texas), she's come up big. And aside from the two 3-set wins against Vanderbilt and Georgia, she's been winning comfortably, drubbing the people she should drub, which isn't always easy, so that's a nice sign.

IMO Lampl is the most improved player on the team from last year. She is noticeably better this year: she can now hit a screaming first serve, as fast as Lord's and I think faster than Gordon's; she can hit her ground strokes faster on both sides, but the biggest change is that she is more consistent. In the past she'd often take a set to find her range, and would squander a game or two with unforced errors, she's gotten a lot more consistent. 

As for the Lord/Gordon 1/2 issue, what a good problem to have! Maybe it's as simple as this being Lord's senior year, or that Lele thought Lord would benefit from the challenge of playing at #1.