MEDFORD, MA -- For the first away match of the weekend, the Williams Ephs traveled to the Tufts squash courts to challenge themin a close and highly anticipated match. The end result was 5-4 in Tufts favor, which has been a closer score then the years before. The Ephs fought hard and played some of their best squash of the season against Tufts, ranked #11, despite a disappointing result.
The first round of matches were played by
Nora Brant (#8),
Sophia Koehler (#1), and
Theresa Kay (#4). Kay won her match in five games after coming back from an injury from the week before. Despite having an experienced and fast opponent, she was able to strategize well and out-skill her Jumbo opponent.
Next up on court were
Naomi Jefferson-Sambanis (#7),
Anika Kakarla (#6), and
Rachel Miller (#3). Jefferson-Sambanis played focused and cut off many of her opponent's shots with volleys of different paces and heights. Jefferson-Sambanis won in a concise three game match.
In the intense last round of matches,
Deena Iqbal (#9),
Rhea Pandit (#5), and
Melanie Wang (#2) all played. First Years Pandit and Wang both won their matches in five intense games. Both stayed focused and kept up high intensity. Wang made a tremendous comeback after losing the first two games, and springing back after multiple match balls.
After the match, Eph head coach
Hesham Aly commented, "I am proud of how we played today. I think I saw some of the best squash from some of our players that I have seen all season."
The Ephs are looking forward to tomorrow's home match at 5pm against Wesleyan University, ranked at #25.
