Poughkeepsie, NY — The loss of six players will make for a challenging season for Vassar. The Brewers have lost more than half of their top ten to graduation, and number 5 Ricardo Espinosa will be studying abroad as well. Head coach Jane Parker takes a long view. “It’s going to be a tough year,” she acknowledges, “but [we’re] hoping to launch a new team next season.” For 2012-2013, the Brewers are looking to maintain their place in the rankings, a challenge that with conditioning and patience could be within reach. The team will have a chance to test themselves early in the season when they host the Guy Hawkes challenge. Fordham and Haverford will be participating, and the three schools finished near each other in the rankings last season, with Vassar playing a division above the others. If Vassar can stay in those earlier matches, it will be a positive sign for the rest of the season. Other key matches for the Brewers will be NYU and Ithaca, which could have significant rankings implications. One area where Vassar will likely continue to stand out is in the classroom; nine players on last year’s squad earned CSA or Liberty League academic honors. Also of note is the addition of Wesleyan alum Laird Gallagher as new assistant coach.
2011-2012 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 10-15
Final Ranking: 39
Team Championships: 7th in the Chaffee Cup (E Division)
2012-2013 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: Jane Parker
Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Michael Sankovich (All Liberty-League); 2. Jake Harris (Liberty League All-Academic); 6. Riley McCabe (Liberty League All-Academic); 9. Robert Ruggiero (Liberty League All-Academic); 11. Kiet Phun
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from 2011-2012 Team Championships: 3. Max Middleton (CSA Scholar Athlete, Liberty League All-Academic); 4. Will English (CSA Scholar Athlete, Liberty League All-Academic); 5. Ricardo Espinosa (Liberty League All-Academic); 7. Marshall Daly (CSA Scholar Athlete); 8. Yi Tan (CSA Scholar Athlete, Liberty League All-Academic); 10. Shail Bajpei (Liberty League All-Academic)
Captains: Jake Harris and Robert Ruggiero
Team Goals: To maintain position in CSA rankings
Key Matches: Fordham, Haverford, NYU, and Ithaca
To read other team previews, please visit the 2012-2013 College Squash Season Previews page.
