Penn men and women’s squash put away the Dragons

The last time Penn men’s squash faced off against Drexel, the Red and Blue men delivered a two-fisted knockout punch, sweeping the Dragons, 9-0.

This go-round came much closer to a split decision.

Though the women’s team (3-0) easily dismissed Drexel without losing a set, the men (2-1) couldn’t clinch their victory until the final two matches, ultimately prevailing, 6-3.

Though coach Jack Wyant held out senior tri-captains Nabilla Ariffin, Pia Trikha and Stephanie Vogel, along with sophomore Colleen Fehm, the Quakers didn’t miss a beat against the overmatched Dragons (1-3).

With nominal number one Ariffin out, freshman Yan Xin seized the opportunity to move up to the top spot, dispatching fellow newcomer Kaitlyn Money in three sets.

In the first meeting between the two schools’ women’s teams — Drexel is in its second year as a varsity team — the Red and Blue quickly showed their upstart neighbors that they have a lot to learn.

“They’re new onto the scene,” Wyant said. “We’re lucky to be much more experienced and have a longer tradition, so I think the scores reflect the sort of history that we have and also the talent level.

“I would anticipate in the years to come … that Drexel will improve at a rapid rate, but for whatever reason they just haven’t come on as quickly.”

Though the women haven’t dropped a set yet in dominating victories over Bates, George Washington and Drexel, they will likely face a much stiffer test when they visit No. 10 Williams on Friday.

Things haven’t come nearly as easily for the men’s team.

After splitting 5-4 decisions against No. 15 Bates and No. 16 George Washington, the Red and Blue found themselves in another struggle early on against the 24th-ranked Dragons.

Early three-set losses by Derek Chilvers at number two and John Dudzik at number four gave the underdogs some life after both Quakers lost their cool.

Dudzik was on the wrong end of a few close calls, eventually lashing out at freshman teammate Augie Frank, who was refereeing the match.

Meanwhile, on the adjacent court, Chilvers was bamboozled, throwing his goggles against the wall in anger after losing the second game and his racquet after losing the match.

Though the Red and Blue regained their focus and gained a number of matches, they were unable to put the Dragons away until freshman Liam Quinn turned in a sterling performance at number five.

After dropping the first game, Quinn was dazzling, using a wide variety of shots to put away his opponent.

“I needed to win for the team,” Quinn said. “So I just got back in there, reversed my strategies, getting the ball to the back and playing more aggressively.”

Quinn’s win was the clincher, with senior captain Dan Greenberg’s three-set win at number one over freshman Ibrahim Bakir acting as a finishing touch.

The men expect to face another stiff challenge when they travel north to face Williams, as the Ephs are ranked 12th nationally.

Wyant knows the men have some improving to do if they want to be up to the task.

“The boys need to be better,” Wyant said. “If they want to be successful on Friday, they have it in them, but they have to play better.”

SEE ALSO

BRIEF | Squash heading down 33rd Street

Matt Sheridan spreads love of squash to inner-city children

BRIEF | Penn squash teams see success in weekend doubleheader

Brief | Squash opens season with Ivy Scrimmages

Penn alumna Lange falls short in first round of U.S. Open

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.