PHILADELPHIA – The Haverford College women's fencing team kicked off the 2024-25 season at the second annual Coach Nikki Franke Classic, hosted by Temple University at the Liacouras Center in North Philadelphia.

This event featured a host of teams from Division I, II, and III along with a smattering of elite club programs. The competition marked head coach Christine Griffith's debut at the helm of the Fords as she returned to her alma mater to kick off her Haverford tenure. 

In foil, Sophie Gardiner led Haverford's efforts, finishing 40th overall, while Paige Copenhaver tied for 57th. Gardiner picked up two victories in pool play, defeating Sierra Friday of Wagner and Zhiyan Qian of North Carolina. She advanced to the direct elimination round, where she was ultimately eliminated by Cameron Cho of Boston College in the Round of 64. Copenhaver notched a pool-play win over Alexis Bienstock of Penn, advancing to the direct elimination round before falling to Taylor Sartori of Boston College in the Round of 64. 

In epee, Nina Hamilton placed 55th, with Payton Wagner in 58th, Joselyne Malan tied for 75th, and Sophie Stamicar tied for 82nd. Hamilton recorded wins against Gabrielle Phelan of Sacred Heart and Noelle Dry of Bryn Mawr before being eliminated in the Round of 64 by Maria Capellua of North Carolina.

Wagner claimed a victory over Emily Faktor of Temple Club in pool play but exited in the Round of 64 after a matchup with Maria Alvim of Sacred Heart. Malan, winless in the initial pool round, rallied with three victories in the consolation bracket, besting Sodtugs Tsengelbayar of Bryn Mawr, Sherleen Yunes of Fairleigh Dickinson, and Francesca Perez of LIU, ultimately securing seventh place in the consolation standings.

Stamicar, also winless in the initial pool rounds, picked up key wins against Frey Kantor-Gerber of Bryn Mawr and Olivia Gallant of Bryn Mawr in the consolation round, finishing 13th overall.

The Haverford women's fencing team will next return to competition on November 3, opening up the team season at the Drew Invitational in Madison, N.J., with matches set to begin at 9 a.m. on the strips inside the Simon Forum.