Wellesley’s Zhang Falls in First Round of CSA Individual Championships

STAMFORD, Conn. – Wellesley College sophomore Sarah Zhang (Lexington, Mass.) dropped a 3-0 final to Columbia University senior Reyna Pacheco (San Diego, Calif) in the opening round of the College Squash Association (CSA) Individual Championships on Friday afternoon at the Chelsea Piers Athletic Club. 

Zhang entered the day ranked 63rd in the country in the CSA's individual rankings but faced a stern test against the 34th ranked Pacheco in the first round of the B Draw of the Holleran Division. Pacheco, last year's Holleran (B) bracket winner opened her title defense with an 11-6, 11-2, 11-2, win over the Blue's top-ranked player.

Pacheco advances to the Holleran (B) Division Quarterfinals for a matchup with Jennifer Haley (Caldicot, Wales) of Trinity College at 12:30 PM tomorrow.

Zhang is now relegated to the consolation bracket semifinals, where she will take on Tufts University senior Paget Stanco (Rye, N.Y.) tomorrow, Saturday, March 5, at 9:40 AM.

Zhang and Stanco have already squared off twice this season, with Zhang taking a 3-0 (11-9, 11-3, 11-8) win on January 27 and a 3-2 (11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5) win during Wellesley's season finale on February 21.

For more information on the CSA Individual Championships, click here.