Wellesley Squash Wins 2014 Seven Sisters Championship

Read the Coaches Recap of the Event

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. -- The Wellesley College squash team won the 2014 Seven Sisters Squash Championship on Saturday, taking home the title for the first time since 2002. The Blue defeated Mount Holyoke and Smith at the event, which was hosted by the Pioneers.

Wellesley opened the day with a 9-0 sweep over Smith, and then earned a 6-3 victory over Mount Holyoke to seal the title. After finishing as runner-up the past two years, the Blue broke through with their first title in 10 years. Wellesley has now won the event four times in program history, and today, snapped Mount Holyoke's string of seven titles in a row.

Against the Lyons, Wellesley won the third through sixth flights, and also won at eight and nine to earn a 6-3 victory. The Blue win was the first for the program against Mount Holyoke since the 2004-05 season.

First-year Meera Nayar led off the Blue victories with a tight 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-3) win over Sam Rosado in the third flight. Senior Haley Vasquez picked up a 3-0 (11-3, 11-3, 11-8) win at four over Elyse Taylor, while sophomore Gabriella Wynne was a 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-5) winner over Allison Shilling at five. 

At six, first year Rhea Advani was tied with Sanjna Merchant 1-1, before winning the final two games to earn a 3-1 (11-9, 11-13, 11-7, 11-7) victory. Sophomore Kate Loftus also won her final two games for a 3-1 (11-5, 13-15, 11-9, 11-4) win at eight. First-year Ruby Feng fell behind 1-0, but won her last three games for 3-1 (9-11, 13-11, 12-10, 11-5) win to round out the Wellesley victories. 

Against Smith, Wellesley was dominant, winning every flight in three games. In each of the 10 matches played against the Pioneers, Wellesley athletes did not allow more than five total points against them. 

At one, senior Rosemary O'Connor defeated Vivian Lee, while at two,  senior Sara Del Balzo topped Carly Melillo. At three, Nayar topped Gina Choo, while at four, Vasquez defeated Eva Morgenstein, allowing only one point against her. 

Playing five, Wynne was an easy winner over Grace Maull, while at six, Advani, surrendered just one point to Jin Lee. First-year Navisha Gupta won her seventh flight match against Jessica Ryan, while at eight, Loftus earned a victory over Leah Jeon. 

Wrapping up the Smith match, Feng won her eighth flight match over Roseanne Hui, while junior Sarah Tammaro picked up an exhibition win over Megan Perry. 

O'Connor, Del Balzo, and Vasquez were named to the Seven Sisters All-Tournament team following the event. 

Wellesley squash is back in action next weekend at the Division III Individual Tournament, hosted by Bowdoin College. 



 

2014 Seven Sisters Squash Championship

Final Standings 
1. Wellesley College, 2-0 (Champion)
2. Mount Holyoke, 1-1
3. Smith College, 0-2 

All-Tournament Team