Stanford, CA — As women’s college squash continues to grow, new teams are joining the ranks every year. Several new varsity programs have been launched in the last decade, and Stanford sets the gold standard for new teams. The Cardinal finished dead last in their first year of competitive play; eight seasons later, they finished 6th in the nation, a record-high finish for the program.
With all but one player returning, the Cardinal should be able to build on last year’s successes. Number 1 and 2009-2010 captain Katy Brewster has graduated, but number 2 Pamela Chua will have more experience under her belt after earning 2nd-Team All-American honors in her first season of collegiate play. Seniors Cecilia Haig and Samantha Buechner will be captains, and two first-year players — Serena Fagan of the Middlesex School and Julia Hemmendinger of the Bryn Mawr School — will be added to the roster as well.
Stanford has become a winter training destination for East Coast teams, so the Cardinal will get some respite from the road and host a few matches in January. They’ll open their season at Trinity in late November and swing back through the East Coast for more matches in January and again in February.
When they’re back in California, the Stanford players will be volunteering and mentoring students through Xtreme Squash, an urban squash/education program.
2009-2010 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 8-7
Final Ranking: 6
Team Championships: 6th Overall; 6th in Howe Cup (“A” Division)
2010-2011 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: Mark Talbott
Returning Players from Team Championships: Samantha Buechner (5); Pamela Chua (2; 2nd Team All-American); Katie Corelli (8); Cecilia Haig (3); Julie Koenig (9); Aditi Maliwal (7); Kerrie Sample (4); Kyla Sherwood (6); Leah Stork (10)
Graduate on Last Season’s Team Championships Roster: Katy Brewster (1; 2009-2010 Captain)
Additions to the 2010-2011 Roster: Serena Fagan and Julia Hemmendinger
Captains: Cecilia Haig and Samantha Buechner
Team Goals: Finish in the top 6
Key Matches: All matches!
To read other team previews, please visit the 2010 – 2011 College Squash Preview Page.
