New Haven, CT – Last season, the Yale Bulldogs were a young squad: three juniors, three sophomores, and four first-year students. The team matured throughout the season and learned valuable lessons in close 4-5 defeats to both Trinity and Penn.
Alia Aziz will captain the more seasoned 2009-2010 squad. Head coach Dave Talbot told Yale Sports Publicity that “Along with fellow seniors Kaki Ettinger and Kaitlin Vinci, Alia will provide great leadership both on and off the court. Alia came through the junior ranks as a top player in all the age groups and is currently one of the top players in all of college squash. She is just as talented off the court and will be a very engaged and successful captain.” In addition to Yale’s returning players, Aziz will lead incoming first-year students Katie Ballaine, Carolyn Brown, and Katie Harrison.
Gareth Webber and Pam Saunders are back as assistant coaches. The team will also benefit from their newest assistant, Pam Anckermann, a Mount Holyoke graduate and winner of last season’s Richey Award. While coaching at Yale, Anckermann will be training for the Women’s International Squash Player’s Association tour.
The ten returning Bulldogs will be looking to earn their first Howe Cup since 2006. It will only serve as extra motivation that the 2009-2010 Howe Cup will be held on their home courts.
2008-2009 Season Recap
SEASON RECORD: 11-5
FINAL RANKING: 5th
NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS: 5th; 5th (consolation winner) in Howe Cup (A Division)
2009-2010 Season Preview
Returning Players from Team Championships: Logan Greer ’11 (1; All-American, All-Ivy); Sarah Toomey ’11 (2; 2nd-Team All-American, All-Ivy); Alia Aziz ’10 (3; 2nd-Team All-American); Rhetta Nadas ’12 (4); Caroline Reigeluth ’11 (5); Alexandra Van Arkle ’12 (6); Aly Kerr ’12 (8); Kaki Ettinger ’10 (9); Kaitlin Vinci ’10 (10); Kelly Mulrow ’12; Catherine Morris ’12; and Anna Doud ’11
Graduating Players from Team Championships: Tara Wadhwa (7)
Additions for the 2009-2010 Roster: Katie Ballaine, Katie Harrison, Carolyn Brown
Captain: Alia Aziz
Team Goals: To play well, work hard, and have fun – the team believes all their goals will be reached if they do this daily
Key Matches: Trinity, Princeton, Harvard, Cornell, Stanford, and Penn
To read other team previews, please visit the 2009 – 2010 College Squash Preview Page.
