The Colby College women’s squash team completed its season ranked 21st in the country after finishing the season with an 8-1 win over Tufts University in the consolation round final of the College Squash Association Walker Cup at Harvard University. The Mules improved their ranking by three spots from the previous 2011 season (24th to 21st).

Heading into the national tournament, the women were ranked 21st and came out the same at the end of the weekend. In comparison to past years competing at the national championships, the Mules beat two New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) opponents in the 2012 tournament: Wellesley University and Tufts University. Although they lost to Wesleyan in the first round, the Mules’ two NESCAC wins were great accomplishments.

Team captain and the 2012 women’s squash MVP, Kate Pistel ’13, helped lead the Mules to a season of success. Her personal record for the season was 22-7, with Lindsey McKenna ’14 following close behind with 21 wins. Another highlight of the national tournament was first-year Elizabeth Brehman’s winning record. Brehman had the highest winning record of the entire first-year class on the team and was the only first-year player to win all three of her national team matches.

Remarking on the season, Pistel said, “It was a great feeling to beat Wellesley 9-0 in the tournament, having already beaten them 8-1 and 7-2 in the regular season. What made it so great was the fact that every single person won that match, and we were able to end the season on such a positive note for everyone.”

The Colby squash coach, Sakhi Khan, devoted his time and passion for the sport in order to make the 2012 season successful and memorable. In doing so, he won the NESCAC Women’s Coach of the Year award, which was “A major highlight of our season,” Pistel said. Seniors Emma Beck and Coco Cowan graduate this year.

The Colby men’s squash team also competed in the national tournament this February, coming out of the tournament and ending the season ranked 18th in the country. The Mules went into the tournament ranked 23rd and defeated 18th-ranked Amherst College and 22nd-ranked Hamilton College, placing them in the finals. The men faced 17th-ranked George Washington University in the title match of the tournament and fell in a tough 5-4 match.

Team captain Harry Smith ’12, who played at first position, was named to the NESCAC Men’s Squash All-Conference First Team after the tournament. Smith was an All-NESCAC selection in each of his four years at Colby, ending his collegiate career with a hard-fought 3-2 loss to Trinity College’s Juan Flores in a second round consolation match at the College Squash Association National Individual Championships. Smith finished 19-16 this past season and had a winning record of 78-42 over his career while playing against the best collegiate squash palyers in the country at first position.

The Mules went from being ranked 24th at the beginning of the season to earning the 18th ranking after the National Tournament. Overall, the Mules had a successful season with all members of the team contributing to the success. Seniors Harry Smith, Nat Cooper, Will Greenberg, Spencer Phillips and James O’Brien graduate this year.