HAVERFORD, Pa. - Returning to the GIAC Squash Courts for the first time in 627 days, the Haverford College women's squash team began the 2021-22 season with an exhibition victory over Swarthmore on Thursday, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting season to come.
Haverford earned victories via sweep at positions three through eight on the ladder, as four debutants for the Fords picked up wins in their first appearances with the program. At the second spot, first year Ariana Solecki outlasted Sannan Dhillon in four games (11-2, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6), while classmate Zahra Khan made quick work of James Sutton at the third flight (11-4, 11-0, 11-5). Sophomore Emi Krishnamurthy also won her first collegiate match against Saumya Raj at the fourth flight (11-8, 11-9, 12-10).
Catherine Fortin was the other newcomer victorious in straight games over Zaid Ali, surrendering just six total points in her collegiate debut (11-5, 11-1, 11-0). Senior Shreya Singh took down Paris Shan in three games at the fifth flight (11-5, 11-6, 11-3) while junior Caroline Smith allowed just eight total points in her sweep of Abraham Porschet at the seventh spot (11-4, 11-4, 11-0). Junior Emilia Zegers allowed just five total points to Sameer Halepoto in a convincing sweep at the eighth flight (11-0, 11-1, 11-5).
Swarthmore picked up its victories at the top flight and the ninth spot, as Joe Radek was able to battle past senior captain Izzy Johnson (11-4, 12-10, 11-3), and Devyani Mahajan notched a win over first year Maya Johnson-Fraidin (11-5, 11-4, 11-8) at number nine. K Zhang also saw her first collegiate action in the 10th flight, grabbing the third game in a battle with Owen Sears, taking the Garnet opposition to extra points in the closeout fourth game (11-3, 9-11, 11-8, 13-11).
Women's Squash now returns to action on Saturday, November 6 with the Alumnae Match slated for 1 p.m. at the GIAC Squash Courts. The regular season will begin in earnest on Saturday, November 13 with the Navy Round Robin, as action against Johns Hopkins (12 p.m.) and Boston University (2:30 p.m.) is on the slate in Annapolis, Md.