When the Yale and Franklin & Marshall women’s squash teams meet, the Bulldogs can claim more than consistency.
Last Friday at the Brady Squash Center, the Bulldogs won the match 9–0 for the fourth straight year. With key juniors Millie Tomlinson ’14 and Kim Hay ’14 sitting out, head coach Dave Talbott said other team members were able to step up and prepare for later in the season.
“We played strong across the entire lineup,” Talbott said.
Team captain Katie Ballaine ’13 won a fierce three-game match at the No. 1 spot against the Diplomats’ Emily Caldwell. Ballaine took advantage of the front court space and defended the backhand well. Anna Harrison ’15 said Ballaine is an excellent role model for her teammates.
“[Ballaine] leads by example, works harder than anyone [we] know and inspires all of us to do the same. She’s an incredible match player and always gives 110 percent,” Anna Harrison ’15 said.
Shihui Mao ’15, one of the Bulldogs’ eight nationally ranked players at No. 38, played in the second spot for the Elis. Winning every game 11-4, Mao gave her opponent no chance and showed the type of intensity the Bulldogs have showcased this early in the season. Mao said the team is focusing on playing its best in every match for good practice, which they hope will pay off in tougher matches in the future. No. 24 Gwen Tilghman ’14 represented Yale at the No. 3 spot and also provided a convincing performance, winning her match in three games.
“No team in the League has the depth or overall strength at the top of this team if everyone stays healthy,” Talbott said.
Yale is back in action on Jan. 5 in Williamstown, Mass. to play Williams College and Colby College in preparation for the Ivy season.