HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College men's squash team will look to exhibit its commitment to raising its level of play once again in 2013-14.

In recognition of the marked growth the Fords showed last year, the College Squash Association (CSA) honored Haverford, 9-8 last season, with the Barnaby Award at the conclusion of last year's CSA championships. The prestigious national award is voted on by college teams and their coaches to identify the most improved team overall.

Having lost four of its top five players from last year to graduation, this year's roster appears determined to step up and put the work in required to be successful in overall preparation as well as fitness.

Coach Niki Clement, in her fourth year, feels like her squad is ready for the challenge that awaits. "Every player is playing at a higher ladder position than they were last year, so the standard of squash they will see this year will be very different," said Clement. "I have seen in practice that the men are preparing as best as possible for this and I look forward to seeing their success because I know they can rise to the occasion." 

The Fords, ranked 33rd in the preseason team rankings, closed out the 2012-13 campaign by competing in the CSA Conroy Cup. Returning players looking to continue to develop their game are Will Greer, Zach Kaden, Bret Marlowe, Matt Rohn, Nathan Vestrich-Shade, Laurenson Ward and co-captains Jonathan Nguyen and Arman Terzian.

Freshman Aaron Horwitz leads the group of newcomers aiming to make a difference for the Fords this season. Other additions to the roster include senior John Cummings, who has been a member of the men's tennis team throughout his time at Haverford, sophomore Alex Egilman and freshmen Chris Hoogstraten and Gabriel Kates.

A rigorous schedule awaits the Fords with matches against the likes of Bucknell University, Connecticut College, Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern University and Tufts University. The season gets underway on Nov. 9 with a match at New York University at noon.