HAVERFORD, Pa. – Though the Haverford College women's squash team was downed, 9-0, by second-ranked Yale University on the Gooding Integrated Athletic Center squash courts Saturday, head coach Niki Clement finished the afternoon proud of a Fords team that didn't back down from the Bulldogs' bark.
"Our women hit the courts with solid attitudes and without fear of such a highly-ranked opponent today which makes me really proud of them," said second-year head coach Niki Clement of her Haverford squad. "It is so rewarding as a coach to see the players you are mentoring and helping, grow in confidence. A tough schedule leading up to today has helped them practice the preparation it takes to head into a match against someone like Yale, and I was pleased to see mental focus translate into improved performances."
The Fords' Randee Johnson played aggressively in her match at No. 6 against Katie Harrison before falling 3-0. Kira Jones, at No. 2, also played a solid match for Haverford chasing down her opponents shots from the first serve through to the final point, and Alisa Strayer forced Yale's Constance Siebert into long points all match long before dropping a 3-0 decision at No. 8.
At No. 1 for Haverford, Caroline Nightingale perhaps gave her opponent the biggest scare of the day. Yale's Rhetta Nadas finished last season ranked 33rd in the nation and took the first game to her host, winning 11-3. But Nightingale battled the nationally-ranked Yale captain more evenly in the second, knotting up the score at 8-8 and 9-9 before surrendering the final two points and game. Nadas captured the match with an 11-4 victory in game three but Nightingale walked off the court with the knowledge that she can play at the same level as a nationally-ranked opponent.
"In the beginning of the season I felt our players were battling nerves at the start of their matches, but not today," explained Clement. "The fearlessness they displayed before walking through the door onto each court was exciting to see and I think we're all anxious for the second half of the season to kick off."
The Fords will take a month off from competition before their next event, the Pioneer Valley Invitational, on Jan. 21-22.