It is not easy to top a 17-4 record, but those are exactly the kind of high expectations that the Binghamton University women’s tennis team can expect this season.

The team is looking to build off a strong 2008-09 campaign that saw it finish with a 17-4 overall record, as well as an undefeated 4-0 record in the America East. The Bearcats are looking to make noise again and improve on last year’s impressive season, which included a runner-up performance in the conference championship. Although no team scoring was kept for last weekend’s Cornell Invitational, the Bearcats posted a solid 16-10 overall record and have certainly gained confidence to build on.

The Bearcats are scheduled to travel to West Point for the Eastern Collegiate championships this weekend. According to BU senior Danyelle Shapiro, head coach Michael Stevens has the team ready and focused for the upcoming event, as well as this year.

“Coach is giving a very disciplined and focus mindset to the team this year,” said Shapiro. “We are not concerned with last year, next year or actually anything but the opponent and the match right in front of us. All I try to think about when I am on the court is how to best play the next ball. That way, there is no time to get nervous, excited or antsy. I just focus on implementing the best strategy to beat the person on the other side of the net.”

That mindset has the team poised for a strong result at West Point. While this weekend’s event will not necessarily shape the rest of the upcoming fall season, players like Shapiro have a positive attitude toward these early season events.

“Winning or losing will not affect this team in any way moving forward in the season,” Shapiro said. “We will learn from both the wins and the losses. The Bearcats will have a great year this year because we have some of the best competitors I have seen on this team in my four years here. We will be a force to be reckoned with at each and every match this year.”

Even though it may be hard to be more of a “force” than last year’s team, the Bearcats are looking to prove early on that they are once again a top contender in the America East.

After this weekend’s event at Army, the team is scheduled to compete in a USTA National Tennis Center Collegiate Invitational in Flushing, N.Y. from Oct. 10 to 12.