For Immediate Release
January 27, 2007
Wellesley Sports Information
Story by Sarah Odell '10
Wellesley Squash Plays at MHC/Smith Invitational
SOUTH HADLEY , MA - The Wellesley College Squash team traveled out west to its’ sister institutions Smith and Mt. Holyoke this weekend for the Smith/Mt. Holyoke Round Robin. The Blue went into the tournament ranked 20th in the nation with a 3-4 record. They would face three tough matches against the Northeastern University Huskies, the Colgate University Raiders and the Connecticut College Camels. All three teams are currently ranked below Wellesley, with the Huskies nipping at the Blue’s heels at 22. The Blue went into the weekend determined to win and maintain their ranking.
The first match took place at 2:00 pm at Mt. Holyoke College versus Northeastern University. The Blue picked up matches at the number 4, 6, and 8 flights respectively. Caroline Tall pulled off a tight win at the number 4 flight in four games, posting 1/9, 10/9, 9/2, and 9/7 results. As the 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 players took the court, victory did not seem in sights for the Blue. Northeastern picked up wins at the number 1, 5 and 9 flights. The match was now in the hands of Jackie Shaw at number three, and Oly Fernando at number seven. Shaw played a tight game, forcing her opponent into the back corners with solid drives and killer cross-courts. Shaw won her match in four games against Northeastern’s Emily Raho posting match scores of 9/0, 9/2, 1/9 and 9/1. After a close first game of 10/9, Wellesley’s Oly Fernando beat Northeastern’s Ali Heerema decisively in three games. The Blue finished off Northeastern 5-4, and set their sights on Colgate and Connecticut College.
At 8:30 am Wellesley took the courts against Colgate University. Any grogginess resulting from a 6:30 am wake-up call soon dissipated as the Blue began their games to finish off the no. 32 Colgate Raiders. Wellesley played a strong game, out hitting their opponents with Head Coach Wendy Berry’s advice of playing the basics—deep rails and serving on the wall. Wellesley’s no. 1 Sarah Odell faced a tough match against Colgate’s Paige Blayless. Taking the advice of her coach, Odell was able to take advantage of her opponent’s weakness in the backhand corner and win multiple points by following up with drop shots. Odell took the match in four games, scoring her first victory at the no. 1 flight this season. Wellesley defeated Colgate 9-0.
Even though the Connecticut College Camels are currently ranked 27th in the nation, Wellesley knew not to underestimate them. During the 06-07 squash season, the Blue defeated the Camels 5-4 at the Smith/Mt. Holyoke Round Robin, only to fall to them 5-4 at the Howe Cup Championships at Yale University. Known for an incredibly strong top ladder, Wellesley knew that players 4-9 would be crucial in bringing home a victory to the Blue. Caroline Tall played a long match of wills at the number four flight, coming out on top, 9/7, 9/5, 9/5. Natalie Chen, who had been the clutch player in the 06-07 season versus the Camels clinching the victory at the Mt. Holyoke Round Robin, quickly pulled off a win at the number five flight. Samantha Chu, who was abroad in the fall, sailed to a victory at the number eight flight posting scores of 9/2, 9/0, 9/1. Newcomer Ashley Stevens at the number nine flight and Geraldine Ng at the number six flight beat their opponents with decisive wins. The Blue defeated Connecticut College 6-3, adding a little more cushioning to their win this year.
Wellesley Squash was excited to welcome new assistant coach and Wellesley Varsity Soccer Coach Tony Mohammed to the team. Tony was available for much needed cheering and encouragement this weekend. We are also sure that Head Coach Wendy Berry was happy to have an extra pair of eyes to watch the matches, as about four to five matches are played simultaneously.
The Blue are back in action on Saturday, February 2nd in the Seven Sisters Tournament. Wellesley will open with a 12:00pm match vs. Vassar at Smith College.
Wellesley def. Northeastern, 5-4
at MHC/Smith Invitational
January 26, 2008
Pos. |
Wellesley | Northeastern | Winner |
Scores |
1 |
Sarah Odell | Tessa Martin | Northeastern |
0-9, 2-9, 0-9 |
2 |
Ayako Kubodera | Sara Barrett | Northeastern |
1-9, 6-9, 4-9 |
3 |
Jackie Shaw | Emily Raho | Wellesley |
9-0, 9-2, 1-9, 9-1 |
4 |
Caroline Tall | Diana Toubman | Wellesley |
1-9, 10-9, 9-2, 9-7 |
5 |
Natalie Chen | Tong Dhanasarnsilp | Northeastern |
6-9, 1-9, 1-9 |
6 |
Geraldine Ng | Francie Shafer | Wellesley |
9-7, 6-9, 9-2, 9-7 |
7 |
Oly Fernando | Ali Heerema | Wellesley |
10-9, 9-4, 9-1 |
8 |
Samantha Chu | Jenielle Gooding | Wellesley |
9-7, 4-9, 9-5, 9-3 |
9 |
Ashley Stevens | Katie O'Neill | Northeastern |
6-9, 9-10, 0-9 |
10 |
Laura Stevens | Katherine Kus | Wellesley |
9-5, 9-6, 9-0 |
Pos. |
Wellesley | Colgate | Winner |
Scores |
1 |
Sarah Odell | Paige Bayless | Wellesley |
9-2, 9-0, 9-0 |
2 |
Ayako Kubodera | Jenny Dorland | Wellesley |
9-3, 7-9, 9-1, 9-3 |
3 |
Jackie Shaw | Nicole la Hausse | Wellesley |
9-4, 9-2, 9-0 |
4 |
Caroline Tall | Annie Morrison | Wellesley |
9-2, 10-8, 9-0 |
5 |
Natalie Chen | Hannah Ruddock | Wellesley |
9-0, 9-5, 9-1 |
6 |
Geraldine Ng | Laura Denenga | Wellesley |
9-0, 9-3, 9-0 |
7 |
Sam Chu | Lizzie Ellis | Wellesley |
9-4, 9-3, 9-1 |
8 |
Ashley Stevens | Courtney Sweeney | Wellesley |
9-3, 9-0, 9-1 |
9 |
Laura Stevens | Kelly Oguh | Wellesley |
9-0, 9-0, 9-2 |
Pos. |
Wellesley | Conn. | Winner |
Scores |
1 |
Sarah Odell | Chrissie Parsons | Conn |
3-9, 4-9, 0-9 |
2 |
Ayako Kubodera | Cara Flynn | Conn |
0-9, 3-9, 0-9 |
3 |
Jackie Shaw | Ryan McManus | Conn |
7-9, 3-9, 5-9 |
4 |
Caroline Tall | Laura Robertson | Wellesley |
9-7, 9-3, 9-5 |
5 |
Natalie Chen | Victoria Leeds | Wellesley |
9-6, 9-0, 9-0 |
6 |
Geraldine Ng | Lizzie Bailey | Wellesley |
9-6, 9-1, 9-1 |
7 |
Oly Fernando | Sarah Robertson | Wellesley |
9-4, 9-0, 9-1 |
8 |
Sam Chu | Casey Corn | Wellesley |
9-0, 9-4, 9-2 |
9 |
Ashley Stevens | Stephanie Timpone | Wellesley |
9-2, 9-0, 9-1 |