Already halfway through their season, the Girls Varsity Squash team has started to build towards championship season.
Led by Head Coach Cameron Biondi and senior Captain Annabelle Jacobs, the girls team has earned a record of 2-5. Some matches have had to be canceled due to weather and other unforeseen events. They most recently had two tough losses against Choate with a score of 0-7 and Kent with a score of 1-6.
“We have definitely gotten closer as a team over the past weeks as the season went on and I would say we’re doing a decent job so far,” junior Hannah Malkin said.
The team has been focusing on building up again after losing four key seniors last year. Coach Biondi notes a mainly new roster of players, some of whom were on JV last year. With this in mind, the team has established some goals and things to work on. “We all want to do our best to improve our individual skills while also forming a closer connection as a team,” Jacobs said. Coach Biondi mentioned the goal of succeeding at the New England tournament and building resilience as a team. Jacobs agreed. “We are also really looking forward to New Englands and Nationals this season because it will be a great way to come together more as a team,” she said.
The team emphasizes various skills on the court during practice. “There are more complicated things like special attacking shots or footwork that we’re going to put more emphasis on in the second half of the season,” Coach Biondi noted. Junior Illianna Brett and Malkin also noted various drills being practiced, such as length games, jive, rales, and footwork.
Highlighted players include eighth-grader Sophia Lazor. “So she’s been a big part of our ladder and brings the experience of someone who plays in tournaments and has played squash for a very long time, even at a young age,” Coach Biondi said. “Our number two is freshman Ava Marseglia, also a young player. She’s a freshman, playing at a very high level too. And so they set a good example of the potential for the program.” he said.
Another key player is Jacobs. “She is a really good example working her way up the ladder in the program and putting a lot of time in to become better and better, even though she hasn’t played squash for her whole life,” Coach Biondi said.
One part of the game that the team does well is bringing energy and support. “It’s a sport where every week you’re playing challenge matches against your other teammates, and I think they do a good job of being intense in those matches and then sort of loosening the tension and showing their friendship again,” Coach Biondi noted. Lazor elaborated. “They’re very supportive of how you do in a game,” she said. Brett noted their integrity as well. “We always give our full attention when refereeing or scoring another player’s match and making clear and effective calls,” she said. Brett also noted that the team’s biggest point of improvement is their technique. Coach Biondi added to this, saying he hopes one thing they can build up in their upcoming matches is their resilience.
The girls team is working hard for the New England tournament and other competitions this season. We wish them the best of luck.
