While a season of wear and tear leaves most squash players begging for a break, Penn coach Jack Wyant said he would have to work hard to keep Kristen Lange off the court in the coming days.
Lange retained the title of Ramsay cup bridesmaid Sunday by finishing as runner-up at the College Squash Association Individual Championships for the third consecutive year.
Facing freshman Nour Bahgat of Trinity in the finals, Lange pushed each game to at least thirteen points - winning the third, 9-4 - but eventually fell to Bahgat, the No. 1 player in the nation.
"I'm one of those people that when I lose, it sparks a fire under my bum and just makes me go out there and start improving again," Lange said. "I hate the feeling of losing . I try to avoid it at any cost."
Penn's junior All-American had little trouble proving that, sweeping each of her first four tournament matches, giving up three points or fewer in every game.
Though Wyant noted both players were "a cut above the rest," the final match between Lange and Bahgat displayed a sharp contrast in styles.
Squashtalk.com editor Ron Beck attended the CSA Individuals and commented about both players on his website. Referring to Lange's style in the semifinals, he used the terms "efficient," "crisp-hitting" and "pinpoint accuracy."
When speaking about Lange's opponent, Beck noted that because the match was refereed by non-players, "Bahgat's normal on-court activities were held closely in check," hinting at the gamesmanship of obstructing the opposing player.
Wyant did not disagree that Bahgat's behavior was unorthodox but simply described her behavior as "savvy."
The fifth-year coach was far from blaming the outcome on Bahgat's style, noting that the Egyptian is "by far and away the best person that has played college squash in my five years."
That being said, Lange certainly knew what she was up against, as the same top two players in the nation faced off twice during the regular season. Bahgat won both contests.
"She's not afraid to play very physically and run into you," Lange said of Bahgat. "I think she's just been taught to obstruct anyone who's getting to the ball. My last two opponents have been much more polite and had much better court etiquette."
Lange was attempting to become the first Penn player to win a national singles title since Jessica DiMauro in 1996, but the Woodinville, Wash., native will have to wait until next year, when as a senior, she will have her final shot at the crown. Of course, she will likely encounter Baghat at some point along the way.
"We're going to study the film and try to figure out a way to beat this girl [Nour] because she's definitely beatable," said Wyant, who admitted he may have the strongest senior class in the nation next season.
Lange's desire to reach the peak will certainly be an asset.
"I don't train to be number two, I train to be number one, and that's what I want to be," she said. "Three years of coming in second has not appeased me at all."
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