Despite different results, the men's and women's squash teams were pleased with their overall performances against strong Amherst teams, as both Big Green teams maintained winning records as they head into the midway mark of the 1995-96 season.
Women dominate 8-1
Although the women's squash team felt comfortable going in to yesterday's match against Amherst, a victory was far from guaranteed. Two 4-5 losses to Amherst last season made the women a bit wary. But things were different this year as the women put together a sound 8-1 victory.
The Big Green won matches at positions two through nine. At number one Laurie Sykes '99 lost a respectable 1-3 match to Amherst's top player who, according to co-Captain Jenny Gallagher '96, beat Harvard's number one.
The women's lineup was slightly different for this match. Sykes beat Heather Duckworth '98 in a challenge match for the number one spot, while co-Captain Trisha Cunningham '96 beat Andra Winokur '99 at number eight. Jenny Johnson '99, normally number five, could not play due to an illness.
"We're having a lot of fun out there," Gallagher said. "The Brown match at the beginning of the season set the pace for us and gave us confidence."
She said that she has been able to see a marked improvement in the team under the guidance of Coach Chris Brownell during the last two years.
In 1994 "we got in shape with Chris," Gallagher said. "Last year we had recruits and higher expectations. [This year] we have a great group of freshmen and a really positive attitude."
The women will face Trinity this Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and then Vassar at 5:30 p.m.
"We have a good chance" against Trinity, Gallagher said. She said that the team feels very confident against Vassar because they are young. "But people can surprise you."
Men fall 6-3
Despite a 6-3 loss to Amherst on Tuesday John-Keith Wasson '96, co-captain of the men's squash team, said the team had a "strong showing."
He said Amherst has always been strong in the past and he was happy to see the team do as well as they did.
The three victories came from Tucker Richmond '99 at number seven, Bill Tarr '98 at eight, and Ranjit Ahluwalia '97 at number nine. The men's strength in this match came from the bottom of the ladder, with players seven through 14 posting victories.
At number one, co-Captain Scott Hammond '96 lost a close 3-2 game to Amherst's Kevin Orphan."We're pretty encouraged," Wasson said. "While we lost, it was still a strong showing. It was something positive" for the team, he said.
This Saturday at 1:30 p.m. the men will play Trinity and at 7:30 p.m. they will battle Vassar.
Wasson called the match against Amherst a "small step" in the overall season. "With a few people turning in good performances it will add to our confidence. We're headed in the right direction."
Wasson hopes the team's victories will "snowball" up until the season's final tournament at Yale in four weeks.
