AMHERST, MA - Women's squash traveled to Amherst on Sunday to play Amherst and Wesleyan for the coveted Little Three Title. In route to their 15th Title in a row, Williams defeated Amherst 8-1 and Wesleyan 8-1.
The day started off with Williams taking on an improved Wesleyan team. None of the players had very much trouble with their respective opponents, with seven out of the top nine matches ending 3-0 in favor of the Ephs. Charlotte Walsh (#9) dropped the first game of her match, but came back fighting and took the next three games to win the match 3-1. Co-captain Alyssa Northrop had a tough match at the number one position and was unfortunately not able to prevail and was defeated in five long games.
Since Amherst had played and beaten Wesleyan earlier that day, the Little Three Title was now between Williams and Amherst. However, there was a similar pattern of play and Williams took that match 8-1 with only a few longer matches. Lily Grant (#6) and co-captain Ellie O'Neill (#2) both showed stamina and strength on their way to respective five game victories over their opponents. Grant pulled through a clutch 12-10 win in the fifth game while O'Neill never let her opponent think she would win the match with a 11-6 victory in the fifth game. After dropping the first game, Maria Pylypiv (#8) was able to come back and take the next three to win the match 3-1. Walsh, at the number nine position, had another victorious four game match, while Ellen Coombe (#5) also won 3-1. Northrop (#1), Caroline Sawin (#3) and Nicole Feshbach (#4) all defeated their opponents in three games. Alyssa Ritchie (#7) fought hard, but Amherst took that match with a 3-0 victory.
"It was a strong performance for the women's team this weekend," commented head coach Zafi Levy. "I thought our play versus F&M (on Saturday) was impressive. Winning the Little Three is one of our top goals each season and I am happy we achieved this goal for the 15th year in a row."
Williams has not only won the Little Three Title for the past 15 years, but they have defeated Amherst 16 straight times and Wesleyan 38 straight times.
Women's squash will look to take this momentum into next weekend's NESCAC's championships at Hamilton. Williams finished second to Trinity last year and hope to make it to the finals again this year. The Ephs will have an opportunity to avenge their 5-4 loss to Bates earlier in the season in the process to try and play Trinity in the finals.
Individual Scores to come:
