The men’s squash team went into the 2008 season as the 15th-ranked team in the nation, and despite a tough second half, went to the NESCAC and Little Three Championships. The Jeffs managed to make it into the semifinals, where they met their downfall to Trinity College. The Jeffs then faced Bates College in the consolation match, but were unable to take down the Bobcats and took fourth place in the tournament. The Little Three Championship featured a win over Wesleyan, but the Jeffs were defeated by archrival Williams College and ended the season with a loss to Saint Lawrence College.
The team looks to remain just as competitive this year, but they face some key losses in their core of players. There are no fewer than five players on last year’s squad that graduated, including the No. 1 and 2 players on the team, Drew Blacker ’09 and Jerome Giovinazzo ’09. The team will also miss Ben Bishop ’09, who alternated between the three and four spots, Brad Corbin ’09 and David Glanton ’09. Furthermore, Senior Nick Cramer says, “It’s hard to say how we’ll do right now because we have several senior players abroad. ... we have a smaller team.”
However, these losses are no reason to be discouraged. The senior trio of Nick Kramer, Lee Banta and Saahil Sud will head the returning members. Juniors Kevin Cecala, Tom Rapisarda, Jacob Glass and Marcelo Cifuentes also look to contribute to the team. Last year’s team featured newcomers who thrived as they worked their way up in the Amherst lineup. Sophomores Steven Severson and Todd Lavine worked their way up to contribute significantly to the team, while Matt Arnold and Zach Porges both saw plenty of playing time in the bottom part of the lineup. With a history of newcomers making a difference in the team, the Jeffs look to bolster their squad with first-years Charles Loesch-Quintin ’13 and Nick Sorrentino ’13 this season.
The 16th-ranked Jeffs kick off the season at Northeastern University today at 7 p.m.
Women
The women’s squash team ended the 2008 season with a strong 10-3 run to give them an overall record of 16-10 for the year, good for head coach Tom Carmean’s best season during his four years as the head coach. This year’s squad looks to build on last year’s success and keep the momentum going this season.
The team looks poised to do just that in terms of returning players. The women’s squash team boasts a young team that has plenty of talent and potential. Only one person, captain Melissa Moulton ’09, from last season’s team graduated, leaving most of the people that put together the strong season to repeat their accomplishments. This year, juniors Allie Dalglish, Hayley Milbourn and Caitlin Demkin look to form the core of the team. While Dalglish and Demkin both are currently abroad, senior captain Hannah Merves spoke optimistically, saying, “We’re strong right now and when they come back we’ll be even better.” They will be joined by sophomores Megan Clower, Caroline Dreyspool, Kate Savage and Anna Scheidt, who look to rise in the ranks after being a major part of last year’s lineup. Their success as rookies will also set the stage for the large class of first-years this year as there are six newcomers to the women’s squash team this season.
The Jeffs will begin their season on Jan. 9 with a dual match at Middlebury College.