Charlottesville, VA — Virginia was the top club team in the nation last season, taking out BC and Northeastern en route to the Epps Cup finals, where the Cavaliers lost to William Smith. “There will be quite a few new faces on the Virginia women’s team this year but the rival teams will remain the same,” reports head coach Mark Allen, who joined the program in May. “The relatively young Cavaliers will have a chance to make their mark in opening weekend matches versus Bucknell and Georgetown,” two other club squads. The new faces include first-year players Lindsay Bralower, Charlotte Searle, and Charlotte Mara, and senior Elizabeth Rajasingh, who is returning from study abroad and will co-captain the team with Celia Dyer. “The past year has brought huge changes to our program (new courts and a new coach) so we are really excited to take advantage of all the great opportunities that they will bring,” says Rajasingh. “McArthur Squash Center at Boar’s Head Sports Club opened in late April,” Allen explains. “With nine singles courts (including one four-wall glass show court) and two doubles courts, the new home of the Cavalier squash teams will also provide a platform for squash to flourish south of the Mason Dixon.”
2012-2013 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 10-8
Final Ranking: 26
Team Championships: 2nd in the Epps Cup (D Division)
2013-2014 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Club
Head Coach: Mark Allen
Returning Players from Team Championships: 2. Celia Dyer (2015); 5. Charlotte Seiler (2016); 6. Mary Shimkus (2016); 7. Tara Simonson (2016); 8. Annaliesa Routh (2015); 10. Rachel Filderman (2016); 11. Jane Pennoyer (2015)
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from 2012-2013 Team Championships: 1. Kelly Whelan (2013); 3. Amara Warren (2013 – Academic Recognition); 4. Alice Kister (2013 – Academic Recognition); 9. Sophie Baum (2013)
Additions to the 2013-2014 Roster:
- Expected to play in the top 3: Lindsay Bralower (St Luke’s)
- Expected to play in the middle 3: Charlotte Searle
- Other addition: Charlotte Mara (St. Andrew’s)
Captains: Elizabeth Rajasingh and Celia Dyer
Team Goals: Build on successful 2012 – 2013 season
Key Matches: Home round robin
To read other team previews, please visit the 2013-2014 College Squash Season Previews page.
