Two middle school girls have taken the center stage on the girls varsity squash team. Despite being much younger than the other players, they have more than proved themselves to their opponents.
Seventh grader Sophia Lazor and eighth grader Ava Marseglia have been playing numbers one and two all throughout the season. Their style has earned the KO girls team a spot at the high school girls national tournament in Philadelphia, where the team played well enough to earn a respectable seventh place out of 25 teams
Coach Cameron Biondi has been very happy with the girls’ play, but this is not surprising to him. “Sophia and Ava play at our number 1 and 2 positions because they have earned those spots. They play a ton and because they often play in tournaments. It means a lot to play those roles at a prep school just like, especially in the Founders League,” he said.
Starting at the young ages of six and eight, Lazor and Marseglia are no stranger to the camaraderie that the game carries with it. “It is different because I am used to kids that are my age, but it’s all right. I get nervous but it is all right,” said Marseglia.
Despite being younger than their competitors, Lazor and Marseglia have very wise insight. “It can be very challenging because [my opponents have a lot more experience than me, but then I remember that you can’t win every match,“ said Lazor.
Moving forward the girls team next year is hoping to capitalize on their mistakes and continue to improve their record in squash. Lazor and Marseglia will continue to anchor them as they move upward and onward.
