Providence, RI — Brown will turn over a new leaf this season with a strong first-year class and upgraded facilities.
The Kate Brodsky Squash Pavilion got a face-lift during the off-season: new floors, new video cameras behind three courts, and new bleachers, carpeting, and furniture. “It looks wonderful!” reports head coach Stuart leGassick.
The revamped facilities will give the 2010 Kurtz Cup finalists a boost as they start the season, as will the addition of a new assistant coach, Sean Wilkinson. A talented first-year class should also energize the team. Sarah Domenick of Penn Charter, Meredith Schmidt-Fellner of Greenwich Academy, and Dori Rahbar of Nobles and Greenough are expected to give the Bears a new top three.
The three incoming players will attempt to fill the holes left by the three seniors who graduated last year, tri-captains Laura Pyne, Sarah Roberts, and Kali Schellenberg. All three seniors were CSA Scholar Athletes last season, as were two of their successors, Sophie Scherl and Carolyn Tilney. Leila Drianksy completes the trio of captains for this season.
The Bears hope to make it into the A Division this season; the last time Brown finished in the top 8 was the 2007-2008 season. They will have an uphill start to the season, opening at Harvard against the defending national champions and then hosting 2010 national finalists Penn and 2009 national champions Princeton, all before winter break. Brown should be battle-tested by the time they face Stanford in January, which will be a key match if the Bears hope to crack the top 8. Brown will get a chance to avenge their loss in the Kurtz Cup finals when they close out the regular season against Dartmouth.
2009-2010 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 6-9
Final Ranking: 10
Team Championships: 10th Overall; 2nd in Kurtz Cup (B Division)
2010-2011 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: Stuart leGassick
Returning Players from Team Championships: Sarah Beresford (10); Sarah Crosky (3); Nikki Fadaifard (2); Erika Kohnen (6); Sophie Scherl (5); Lydia Smith (9); Carolyn Tilney (7)
Graduates on Last Season’s Team Championships Roster: Laura Pyne (1); Sarah Roberts (8); Kali Schellenberg (4)
Additions to the 2010-2011 Roster: Sarah Domenick, Dori Rahbar, and Meredith Schmidt-Fellner
Captains: Leila Driansky, Sophie Scherl, and Carolyn Tilney
Team Goals: To reach the top 8
Key Matches: Dartmouth, Stanford, Williams, and Cornell
To read other team previews, please visit the 2010 – 2011 College Squash Preview Page.
