HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's fencing team has added a slew of strong first years, and looks to be fielding its deepest and strongest team in several years. The capable leadership of co-captains Amanda Soled (epee) and Alexandra Morrison (foil) will lead the talented underclassmen as the team seeks its first conference championship since the 2014 NIWFA Division III Team Championship award.
Joining Soled on the epee squad will be senior Lauren Pronger, sophomore Katie Bradley – who turned heads last season as she went from PE class beginner to NCAA regional qualifier – and two promising first years, Valentina Zavala-Albelaez and Claire Cai. Morrison's foil squad has ace recruits Hanna Kopits and Jia-Ming Tuan, putting both of these squads in position for their strongest showings since the 2014 championship season. Top returning sabriste Anna Neuheardt, a two-time all-conference performer who has also notched several victories against Division I Penn State, is joined by returning sophomore Ayesha Bhikha and returning junior Emily Brown. The sabre squad has been tirelessly working since last year to improve its skills on the strips. First years Mingxuan Zhang and Krystal Li will also bolster the sabre squad.
With multiple individuals who possess the talent to make the finals of both the Temple Open and the eventual NCAA Regional, along with several potential all-conference fencers, the team looks to start strong out of the gate during the opening tournament. The Vassar Invitational and Dan Arnstein '09 D'Arnstein will provide plenty of opportunities for fencers to continue to build on their skills before the first semester wraps up with a new addition to the schedule at Drew during December.
Tradition continues with the Penn State Invitational kicking off Winter Training Camp with tough opponents throughout the day. Strong tournaments at the University of Pennsylvania and Brandeis lead into the EWFC Championships. With potential NIWFA medalists and regional finalists in all three weapons, the Fords appear primed to have one of their strongest seasons in recent years.