Women's tennis at Middlebury continues to grow each season and has now established itself as a national presence. In the spring of '05 the Panthers advanced further than any other team in school history, taking part in the NCAA semifinals. Middlebury has now made four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, setting a school record with 16 wins in '04. The Panthers compete in the NESCAC, arguably the top Division III tennis conference in the country. The women's team enjoys a full season of action in the fall as well as the spring. The team plays approximately 10 matches in the fall, including the Rolex Tournament, the New England Division III Women's Tennis Championships, the three-day M.I.T. Tournament and the NESCAC Tournament.
The spring season sees the Panthers playing approximately seven matches, while also hosting the three-day Middlebury Invitational Tournament. Prior to opening the spring season, the team takes a trip to either Hilton Head, South Carolina or Florida during spring break, where they play several matches against out of region opponents.
Middlebury's varsity squad carries between 10 and 14 players. Practice is held daily, and a player is expected to attend practice unless she has an academic conflict. Strength and conditioning training supplement the on-court practices. Combining two-hour practice sessions with preparation and post-activity time, each student is likely to be committed to a total of about three hours a day.