WILLIAMSTOWN, MA -- For their first match of the weekend, the Williams Ephs played the Bates Bobcats ranked No. 19. After some strong wins last week, the Ephs were ready to take on the Maine squash teams starting with Bates College.
On first today were
Melanie Wang (#1),
Rhea Pandit (#5), and
Nora Brant (#7). Wang finished her match in three games and played smart with tight rallies. Pandit lost her first game, but came back strong in and won the match in four games. Brant played with efficient movement, but her Bobcat opponent defaulted in the second game, adding another purple point on the board.
Deena Iqbal (#9),
Sophia Koehler (#2), and
Theresa Kay (#4) played the second round of matches against Bates College. Koehler played five tough games, staying in the center of the court and hitting volleys, but eventually lost. Iqbal and Co-captain Kay clinched their wins in three straight games.
The last round of matches were played by
Naomi Jefferson-Sambanis (#8),
Rachel Miller (#3), and
Anika Kakarla (#6) at the Simon Squash Center. Jefferson-Sambanis won her match in three games hitting dying lengths and tight drop shots. Miller won in four tough games, keeping consistent length and quick movement. Kakarla stayed on top of the ball and used some great strategy, but eventually fell to her Bobcat opponent in four close games.
After the match, Head Coach
Hesham Aly commented, "The women's team played well today. We just need to keep this momentum into the rest of the weekend and keep the pressure up for the next teams."
The Ephs are looking forward to playing Bowdoin, ranked #18, on Saturday at 2pm.
