Realizing what could have been is often the most painful part of any sports season.

However, for top women’s tennis player Alice Ridout, this year’s team silver medal wouldn’t be so bad if it were not for the haunting memories it brought back.

“This year we were just beaten by a better team,” said the fifth-year player of the loss to York in the 2001 gold medal matchup. “It just made the senior players on the team more disappointed about last year because in retrospect it really was our big chance for gold.”

In the 2000 final, McMaster used a number one singles player who barely qualified for postseason play to edge U of T for the gold. In this year’s final, Ridout felt that the difference was made in doubles, where York gained a point for winning the best of three format.

Despite the loss, there were reasons to smile.

In the individual Ridout (singles silver) teamed with number four singles player Liane Marr (fourth-year) to defeat York’s top duo for gold in an emotional three set match.

Ridout says it was an “especially sweet” victory because the Yeowomen’s pair included the number one singles player who dealt her the loss in the singles final.

“It was definitely disappointing to lose the singles final,” said Ridout of a loss where she came back from 1-4 to tie the final set before losing 4-6.

Marr added that every point was fought hard in the championship match.

“The level of competitiveness was truly amazing,” she said. “It was a roller coaster ride.”

This year’s success comes both from the team chemistry but from individual improvement, with individuals such as fifth-year player Nicole Saltzman leading the way.

“I think many great friendships have been made and many of them will continue for a long time,” said Marr, adding that she wished the season was longer.

With Ridout among five players due to graduate, next year’s team is expected to rebuild toward the success that has resulted in three consecutive team silver medals.

But both sheand Marr agree that the emergence of younger players such as Amy Wong (second-year) and Karina Avramenko (first-year) will provide a solid base to build on.