With some of the region’s toughest competitors congregating in the Pioneer Valley over interterm, Amherst women’s squash team had their work cut out for them in a grueling weekend of racquets, returns and re-drops. Heading into the competition, Amherst debuted a 1-1 record against Smith and Middlebury. They would leave the invitational boasting an overall record of 6-2, with their only loss of the event coming at the hands of the sixth-ranked Yale Bulldogs. After a tough match, the team bounced back to decisively win the next five games over several other NESCAC and out-of-conference rivals, including a strong Bates team.
On the final day, the purple and white bested the 18th-ranked Bobcats, 7-2. The gritty play of the Amherst women lifted them to victory against a team that has proved to be a formidable opponent in the past. Throughout the tournament, senior captains Taryn Clary and Khushy Aggarwal played extremely well, posting important wins against their last five opponents.
The Amherst women continued their season on Sunday as they searched for The little three title in hostile territory. The action in Williamstown tested the women and reared mixed results. They fought hard to defeat the Cardinals 8-1, while the 11th-ranked Ephs capitalized on their home advantage to beat Amherst 8-1. In the Amherst lineup, five players battled it out to four sets against the overpowering Ephs, but could not clinch the win.
Despite this hiccup, the women’s squash team is poised for success as they prepare to host Mount Holyoke on Wednesday, Feb. 3. The 16th-ranked purple and white enter their next contest with a 7-3 record, and are looking to use this next match to catch fire as they head into the NESCAC championship being hosted by top-ranked Trinity.
“Going into NESCACs we definitely have the right mentality to dig deep, and with the depth on the team we can close it out,” sophomore standout Kim Krayacich said.
On Wednesday, the team hosts Mount Holyoke at 6 p.m. before traveling to Trinity for NESCAC Championships this weekend.
Seeded fourth, Amherst will face fifth-seeded Bowdoin in their quarterfinal matchup on Saturday, Feb. 6 at noon.
