Fortunately, Caroline Shannon '07 has her fair share of playing experience as a participant in the CSA Individual Championships over the past two years. She also stepped up to fill the number-one spot in two matches and has taken the responsibility full-time this year.
Shannon is not without support, and has many experienced players flanking her rear. In the first match of the season against Northeastern, the top of the lineup was as expected. Libby Martin '08 slowly climbed the ranks in 2004-05, proving her mettle and ability to play at the number-two spot this season. She pulled off key wins in the close season-ending match against St. Lawrence University, in which the Jeffs squeaked to a victory 5-4. Junior Emily O'Brien settled in the three spot, and classmate Abby Mantica followed at number four, making the jump from her previously held number-six spot.
Lauren Coape-Arnold '06 claimed the number-five spot, while junior Sarah Harper, who was a consistent starter last year at number eight, filled in at number six. She is followed by Di Kirkwood '08 and Scotty Hanley '06, who played sporadically throughout the last season at the eight or nine spots. Sophomore Heather Nowak made her collegiate squash debut in the final spot.
Every Jeff came out strong on Wednesday, breezing by the competition. Though Mantica was the only Jeff to deny her Husky even one point, the rest of the team disposed of Northeastern easily, with the closest game ending 9-2. Harper had the most contested margin of victory, a blow-out 9-2, 9-2, 9-1 win. Nowak started her match after her teammates had easily won, putting the pressure on to complete the sweep. Luckily, Nowak began her career encouragingly, fighting off jitters with the help of team support, and allowed her opponent just four points.
With this warm-up under the belt, the women moved on to face Trinity College, who is ranked third in the nation and presented much stiffer competition. The team was swept 9-0, and two Jeffs failed to win a single point; however, Nowak's mindset going into the match puts this contest far from tragedy. "Trinity is going to be extremely difficult but it will be a good learning experience and I look forward to just playing and having fun," said Nowak before the match.
Martin, who dropped to the number-three position for this match, can attest to this, competing well in a grueling match. Martin pushed the score of the first game to 10-8, a forewarning of the close match ahead. Her Trinity opponent took the next match 9-5, but Martin rallied to win the next two games 9-5. The final game was a true test of endurance; few women's squash matches go to five games. Unfortunately, the Bantam made a comeback to finish the game 9-5. Another well fought match took place at the number-eight position, where Hanley battled it out 9-3, 9-7, 9-1.
While this defeat is disappointing, it is far from disheartening. Nowak looks forward to improving with every game. "I think that I will improve more as the season continues; I still have a ton to learn about the strategies of the game and, of course, improve my strokes," she said. Happily, the opportunities are many. The Jeffs resume play today at Tufts University.