The women's squash team kicks off its season today against Brown, hoping to be able to improve upon last year's national No. 26 ranking and 6−14 record. Under the guidance of new head coach Belkys Velez, such a goal seems highly attainable.
Tufts, a Division D team — among schools ranked between 25th and 32nd — struggled last year against NESCAC opponents. The Jumbos also lost matches to Division C schools Saint Lawrence and William Smith by narrow 5−4 margins, spoiling their chances of finishing 19th or better in the College Squash Association rankings to qualify for the Walker Cup (C Division) bracket at the CSA National Championship.
Still, the Jumbos finished the season strong, winning four of their last six matches and reaching the Epps Cup (D Division) finals, in which they lost to Columbia.
Now, Tufts begins the season ranked No. 23 in the country, in part because it has a more experienced group and is returning its top five players. One of these players is senior co−captain Valerie Koo, who in March was named to the NESCAC All−Conference Second Team and played in the CSA Individual Championships at Trinity.
In October 2009, the Jumbos did not even have the nine players necessary to fill out their roster and had to scramble to find additional players before the season began.
"We did get lucky in the sense that we managed to get enough players and that they were pretty good," Koo said. "They could play in the starting lineup, and they also had high school experience. So in that sense, I think we did way better than anyone could have expected."
The Jumbos this year have four new players: sophomores Hafsa Chaudry, Chelsea Dickson, Caitlin Doherty and Risa Meyers. Chaudry, Meyers and Doherty will start in the 7−9 spots in the lineup, and Dickson may also see playing time when she recovers from injury.
"They show a lot of potential," Koo said of the newcomers. "Hafsa played in high school, so she definitely has experience, and Risa and Caitlin are very athletic and show good squash instincts. They're improving very quickly, and I think they'll do well this season."
The Jumbos are just as optimistic about their new head coach as they are about their new players. Velez, who was an assistant coach last year under previous head coach Doug Eng, has ranked as high as No. 84 in the world and has coached in Ecuador and the United States. Velez will work exclusively with the women's team while Eng remains as head coach of the men's team.
"She's very enthusiastic about the team, and we all have been getting along with her really well," junior co−captain Mercedes Barba said. "Our drills have been very effective, and I think everyone's really excited for how the rest of the season is going to turn out with her."
In the offseason, the team practiced twice a week with an emphasis on honing fundamental skills as well as conditioning.
"We have been doing a lot of rails and deep shots because that's the most basic shot in squash, and if you don't have that down, you're at a disadvantage already," Koo said.
"We've been doing a lot more fitness this year," Barba said. "We've been doing a lot more weights, pushups and strength and conditioning, which we really didn't emphasize in past years, and it's definitely going to help us in our matches."
Koo noted that creating strong team bonds and maintaining a positive attitude will be crucial to success.
"Our team spirit is very good right now, and I think everyone's hitting very well because everyone likes the team a lot this year and we have a coach that we feel much closer to," Koo said. "Everything combined, we're very positive about the season, and I think that will make us play harder."
This weekend's Boston Round Robin will be the first big test for the team as the Jumbos will play six matches in total, three of which will be against NESCAC foes, including Bates, Conn. College and Williams.
"My goals for the team are to definitely qualify for the C Division, and my biggest goal is to win the D Division," Barba said. "After this weekend, I think we'll be able to tell a bit better what our odds are of achieving that goal."
