With Derek Chilvers’ rendition of the national anthem, the Penn squash season began at the Ringe Squash Courts.
Both of Penn’s squash teams cruised to victories over Williams and George Washington. The women’s team also secured a win over Stanford.
Ranked 14th in the preseason, Penn (2-0) men’s squash came out looking to avenge its 5-4 loss last year to Williams (3-3) in Massachusetts. Early on it became very obvious that the men’s squad was a different team this year.
Winning their first five matches, the Quakers clinched the victory with senior captain John Dudzik’s four-set victory.
“I’m really pleased with the men,” coach Jack Wyant said. “We were the fitter team. We were the stronger team. And the results support that assumption.”
Penn continued to keep its foot on the gas, ultimately coming away with a 8-1 victory. The lone loss of the day came with William’s No. 2 Kevin Chen’s sweep of sophomore Liam Quinn.
Awaiting the Red and Blue on Sunday was No. 19 George Washington (3-1), a team who also beat Penn, 5-4, last year.
Penn continued its hot streak, handling the Colonials a 7-2 victory. The two losses came at the No. 1 and No. 2 position where sophomores Quinn and Tyler Odell fell in straight sets.
“I’m pleased with the result,” Wyant added. “Yesterday was an emotional win, so to see them pull it out today was great.”
Freshman Rahil Fazelbohy attributed his team’s success to the support network the team has built.
“We have great team chemistry,” Fazelbohy said. “And we’re all getting along.”
After two strong victories, including one over a team ranked higher than them, the Quakers are sure to move closer to their goal of a top-ten ranking.
Before winter break, the men will go on the road to face a Navy team that the Quakers destroyed last year.
On the women’s side, Penn, currently ranked third in the country, scored three victories on the weekend of 9-0, 9-0, and 8-1.
In their first matchup, women’s squash obliterated Williams (4-4) 9-0.
Without even dropping a game, the Ephs were no match for the talented Quakers (3-0).
On Sunday, the Red and Blue played a doubleheader with No. 7 Stanford (1-2) and No. 14 George Washington (1-2). Despite the Cardinals’ lofty preseason ranking, they could barely grab a set against Penn in the Quakers’ 9-0 sweep.
After losing just two sets on the day, Penn prepared for its second tilt with the Colonials.
Strong play and depth was again key to the 8-1 victory over GW. Sophomore Yan Xin Tan suffered her first loss of the season in four sets to sophomore Anna Gabriela Porras.
Center court was also the site for another thrilling matchup.
Up two sets to none on GW’s No. 2 Breanne Flynn, sophomore Haidi Lala surrendered the next two sets, needing a fifth-and-deciding set to dispatch Flynn.
“I just fell back on my previous technique,” Lala said. “I thought about the team and knew I needed to win.”
The next matchup for both the men’s and women’s team will be Ivy clashes with Dartmouth after winter break. The women may have a perfect record coming out of this weekend, but Wyant believes there is still work to be done.
“There’s a lot of room for improvement,” Wyant said.
Both squash teams have emerged with perfect records and hope to build on that momentum as they near Ivy play.
SEE ALSO
Penn squash teams ready to kick off seasons with different mindsets
Penn men’s squash chooses Tyler Odell as No. 1
Women’s squash is seeking the sophomore surge
Penn women’s squash’s senior trio ready for final Ivy fight
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