Squash off to a solid start
The men’s and women’s squash teams each opened their seasons with three matches the weekend before Thanksgiving break. Although both teams fell to top-ranked Trinity College on Saturday, Nov. 19, the men’s team bounced back with two victories the next day over the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Northeastern University, while the women proved to be just as successful with wins over Wellesley College and Northeastern.
Trinity’s squash teams defeated the Mules 9-0 in the matchups on both the men’s and women’s sides. For the men, captain Harry Smith ’12 fell to All-American Vikram Malhotra in straight sets (11-5, 11-8, 11-6). William Sullivan ’13 battled against Antonio Diaz at the second position, but also lost in straight sets (11-4, 11-4, 11-7). Throughout the rest of the lineup, the 13-time defending national champions continued to dominate as Roy Simpson III ’14, Nat Cooper ’12, Will Hochman ’14, Stephen Carroll ’14, Ben York ’15, Pete Gabranski ’13, and Darryl Soto ’14 fell in straight sets.
On the women’s side, the Mules suffered a similar fate as the team lost each of its matches in straight sets. Catalina Pelaez of Trinity defeated captain Kate Pistel ’13 in the first position (11-7, 11-3, 11-2), and Wee Nee Low overpowered Molly Parsons ’13 in the second position (11-3, 11-4, 11-1).
The following day, the Mules rebounded with strong showings on the courts. Smith and Sullivan won their matches against MIT at the first and second positions to help lead the men to their first win of the season. Later, the men tallied a perfect 9-0 victory against Northeastern to deliver their second win. Although many of the matches against Northeastern remained close, the Mules were able to pull out victories in every one.
In similar fashion, the women’s team also recorded 8-1 and 9-0 wins on Sunday, Nov. 20 with victories over Wellesley and Northeastern, respectively. Pistel and Parsons tallied victories in both of their matches at the one and two positions, respectively. Lindsey McKenna ’14 also recorded two wins in her place at the third position. Madeline Hunsicker ’15, Liz Brehman ’15, Tara Tischio ’15, Coco Cowan ’12 and Emma Beck ’12 filled out the winners’ circle with victories of their own.
With great starts to their seasons, the Mules look to continue their win streaks. Men’s captain Smith will work to capture his fourth All-New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) selection, while women’s captain Pistel and second position player Parsons hope to improve upon their respective 11-11 and 15-7 records from the previous season.
