The girls thirds squash team started its season with a bang on Saturday, playing only two games over the minimum needed to secure a 6-1 victory over Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, CT. Of the eight players who made the trip, half are returning from last year’s squad. Top-seeded Kaitlyn Kelly showed off impressive athleticism and grit, overpowering her opponent in three straight sets after narrowly dropping the first. Lauren Stenger lost a hard-fought match but showed advanced skills in her ability to return tough deep serves to the corner with her backhand. Lizzie Eudy hit rails relentlessly to keep her opponent off balance. And Kate Stenger deployed a great deep service game to rack up the most lopsided score of the day. Complementing our veterans were four talented rookies, all of whom won their matches. Second seed Marnie Todd did it with her devastating deep serve. Olivia Waterfall, an accomplished tennis player, hit the ball harder than anyone on the courts and transformed into a better squash player before our eyes over the course of her match. Each of Valentina Williamson’s games was better than the last, as she flashed terrific footwork and by the last set had found the back corner with her serve, icing the set. And Grace Honos combined her energetic play with great placement in her own squash debut. The trip was good for our record, but even better for our team chemistry, as the girls offered each other counsel and support after each game and everyone finished the day excited for the season. We’ll resume competition in the new year, when we return to Connecticut to take on Suffield Academy on January 15.
Results:
- Kaitlyn Kelly: W 9-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4
- Marnie Todd: W 11-2, 11-6, 11-9
- Olivia Waterfall: W 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 11-9
- Lauren Stenger: L 5-11, 5-11, 6-11
- Valentina Williamson: W 11-7, 11-6, 11-2
- Grace Honos: W 11-4, 11-6, 13-11
- Lizzie Eudy: W 11-2, 11-5, 11-5
- Kate Stenger: W 11-3, 11-3, 11-2 (exhibition)