Minneapolis, MN –“After two years as an emerging team, we have the numbers and are ready to field a full nine-player team and qualify for nationals as a nine,” reports coach John Stever. Six new players will be joining the Golden Gophers, and they will be making an impact throughout the ladder. Klothilda Lim and Sandra Rellier are expected to play in the top three, while Arianna Deming and Yulia Allar are expected to play in the middle three, and Alex Chhith and Katelyn Kildahl will likely play in the bottom three. Minnesota’s growth is encouraging news for both women’s college squash and squash in the Midwest. Since its inception, the Minnesota squash program has helped to grow the sport in the region by hosting and organizing events. This season, they will be hosting a round robin in November. They will also be traveling to Missouri to play at the Wash U round robin in St. Louis. Northwestern and Notre Dame, teams Stever describes as Minnesota’s “only ‘close’ opponents and natural rivals,” will also be key matches on their schedule. “Be part of the excitement around a young, developing team,” Stever tells prospective Golden Gophers. “Squash in the Midwest and in Minnesota is gaining momentum, so this is the time to jump on the moving train.”
2012-2013 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 2-3
Final Ranking: 41
Team Championships: 3rd in the Emerging Teams Division
2013-2014 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Emerging Club
Head Coach: John Stever
Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Andrea Begrade (2014); 3. Paige Carlson (2014); 4. Christina Kramarevsky (2014); 5. Haritha Bellam (2014); 6. Brenna Schmitt (2015)
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from 2012-2013 Team Championships: 2. Stephanie King (2013)
Additions to the 2013-2014 Roster:
- Expected to play in the top 3: Klothilda Lim and Sandra Rellier
- Expected to play in the middle 3: Arianna Deming and Yulia Allar
- Expected to play in the bottom 3: Alex Chhith and Katelyn Kildahl
Captains: Andrea Belgrade and Paige Carlson
Team Goals: To qualify for the Women’s National Team Championships as a nine-player team
Key Matches: Northwestern, Notre Dame, Washington University in St. Louis
To read other team previews, please visit the 2013-2014 College Squash Season Previews page.
