Last week they watched their country earn a pair of spectacular victories in the Davis Cup.

Next week, Debbie Darrell, Kelly Holland, Danielle Paynter and Kim Simmons will be hoping for similar results when they take part in the women's equivalent, the Federation Cup.

"I think it gives them some additional adrenaline,'' captain Jerome Bradshaw said of the importance of wins by Michael Way, Ricky Mallory, Donald Evans and James Collieson in the just-concluded American Zone Group III and IV championships at the Southampton Princess.

And Simmons is already feeling it. "This is Bermuda's year,'' she said Like their male counterparts, the Federation Cup squad are relative newcomers to international tennis; this will be just their second appearance in the entry-level American Zone Group II tournament.

Last year in the Dominican Republic, Bermuda won one match -- in doubles -- in a tie with Costa Rica. This year, the tournament is held on the same green clay at the same steamy Dominican resort in La Romana, although Bermuda's entry is 50 percent different.

With Darrell and Paynter replacing Gill Butterfield and Donna Bradshaw, the team's average age has dropped. But the presence of Jerome Bradshaw, Simmons and Holland means the retention of people who have been through the pressure-cooker before.

"They will benefit from the experience of what is required to win,'' said Bradshaw. "We've been training for a higher level of participation.'' The scouting report last year was that their opponents -- many of whom compete on the WTA Tour -- are mentally and physically tough, with a knack for making big shots on big points.

Bradshaw said the balance of this year's team was "similar'' to last year but with "a little more punch.'' Simmons noted how focus would be a key. "This is a situation where you don't have to worry about distractions or about daily life in Bermuda. This is three hours on the tennis court and you have to take advantage it.

"It's tough because we don't get to see that calibre of play year-round.'' Predictions? "I'll be disappointed if we don't do better than last year,'' said Bradshaw. Simmons, who turns 32 on Saturday, also sees the team being more competitive, particularly in singles.

Asked if he had decided which players would be playing when, Bradshaw would only say he had "ideas'' and would make up his mind after doing some scouting.

Fed Cup team hopeful But, he added: "All the players will definitely play.'' Only Paynter, a 16-year-old attending school in the US, has not been training regularly with the squad. She will meet the other three in New York on Saturday before flying to the Dominican Republic.

"Danielle's youth is a big plus,'' said Bradshaw. "Young people bring an added determination.'' Darrell is older but last year was ranked number one on the Island after being overlooked for the 1996 Fed Cup squad.

"Fed Cup is about Danielle,'' said Simmons, a teaching pro at Pomander Gate Tennis Club. "It's not about me, it's not about Kelly and it's not about Debbie. Every team down there will have one or two top teenagers on their team. That's the future of tennis, just like the Davis Cup was all about James.'' Play begins on Monday and continues through until the following Saturday.

Thirteen countries are expected to take part, with two of last year's having moved up to Group I.

NET GAIN -- Veteran Kim Simmons will lead the Bermuda team in next week's Federation Cup in the Dominican Republic. The squad leave on Saturday.