Shutout of F&M provides bright spot in tough first week

The women's squash team opened its first weekend of play with a bit of a roller coaster ride. At the Dartmouth Invitational in New Hampshire, the team lost three matches by a combined score of 25-2, but handily defeated Franklin & Marshall 9-0. The squad followed its performance at Dartmouth by losing both of its next two matches by a tally of 9-0 to Amherst and Wellesley.

Against Amherst and Wellesley, on Tuesday and Wednesday, many of Tufts' players missed the matches due to other school obligations, causing a lack of consistency in the team's lineup.

"We did well and we just need our entire team available in big matches," coach Doug Eng said. "At all of our matches thus far, we were missing key players since many of them are extremely active on Tufts Campus. For example, Zoe Bolesta and A.J. Crane are also on the sailing team."

Owing to this factor, the team's lackluster results are not surprising.

"For yesterday's match against Amherst, we didn't have the complete line-up because some couldn't attend due to school. The result was kinda expected," senior co-captain Winnie So said.

Tufts expects to see stiff competition throughout the year, and this first week of play was no exception.

"Yes, we should have beaten Bowdoin last year but this year they got lucky with recruiting and picked up a national Ivy player who should be at number one, so they are tough. Bates is always tough. Dartmouth is probably top five nationally," Eng said.

Despite the tough competition, the team did squeak out a few notable victories in the midst of its defeats, such as So's 3-0 win against Bates number one Sara Persing. But playing four matches in two days proved to be too much for the Jumbos, who left the Invitational exhausted and defeated.

"I had thought that our match against Bates would be more even," senior co-captain Abigail Cushman said. "For me, part of the problem I had when playing Bates was that it was our third match that day. So by that time, I was exhausted both physically and mentally."

Overall however, the team was happy with its performance, especially at Dartmouth, as several of the newer, younger players were able to pick up wins against Franklin & Marshall.

"On an individual basis Rhonda (Barkan) and Nida (Ghouse) are our most pleasant surprises this year," Eng Said.

Ghouse, a sophomore, picked up a solid victory against Karley Bibbs of Franklin & Marshall, while fellow sophomore Barkan has yet to play in a match. The weekend also provided the team with valuable experience for the Howe Cup, the National Squash tournament, giving the Jumbos something to build upon for the remainder of the season.

"We already have more experience than other teams with players just starting out. It will pay back at the Howe Cup. . . . We'll peak at the Big Dance," Eng Said.

Early season experience often proves valuable for younger players who have little contact with squash at the collegiate level.

"Dartmouth, Bowdoin and Bates are strong teams so it's a good opportunity for the younger players to be a part or even to watch great matches," So said.

The team hopes that this experience will translate into wins later on when it has a chance avenge some of its early season losses.

"We'll have another chance in January to play Wellesley, and I think we'll do much better then," Cushman said. "We'll have a much stronger team."