HomeArticlesTufts: 2015 – 2016 Women’s College Squash Season Preview

Tufts: 2015 – 2016 Women’s College Squash Season Preview

Tufts University

Medford, MA — After beginning last season with injuries and players abroad, Tufts came on strong during the second semester and moved back up the rankings. The Jumbos faced William Smith at the very beginning and at the very end of the season. They reversed the regular season loss at Team Championships, resulting in the Epps Cup crown. Tufts lost two players to graduation, but has seven new players to compete for spots in the line-up, including two players who will likely earn spots in the top 3. This bodes well for the Jumbos. According to head coach Joe McManus, “the team expects to make another leap in the national rankings and will aim for a top 20 national ranking.” Paget Stanco, a two-time All-NESCAC team member, will serve as captain this season. She will lead a team that has certain matches circled on the calendar, including meetings with Colby, Conn, Hamilton, and St. Lawrence. If the Jumbos’ crop of new players bolsters the line-up, Tufts may earn a spot in the Walker Cup by season’s end.

2014-2015 SEASON RECAP

Season Record: 9-13

Final Ranking: 25

Team Championships: 1st in the Epps Cup (D Division)

By the Numbers (From US Squash): 5-4 Matches Won: 0 of 2… Top 3 Win %: 0.5… Middle 3 Win %: 0.5909… Lower 3 Win %: 0.2963

2015-2016 SEASON PREVIEW

Program Status: Varsity

Head Coach: Joe McManus

Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Paget Stanco (2016 – Second Team All-NESCAC); 3. Claudia Udolf (2018); 5. Lauren Banner (2018); 6. Anna Bezahler (2017); 7. Lynn Cheng (2017 – NESCAC All-Academic, NESCAC All-Sportsmanship); 8. Gabrielle Salomon (2018); 9. Nellie Harvey (2018); 10. Hannah Park (2016)

Graduated/Non-Returning Players from 2014-2015 Team Championships: 2. Paige Dahlman (2015 – NESCAC All-Academic); 4. Ann Bellinger (2015 – NESCAC All-Academic)

Additions to the 2015-2016 Roster:

  • Expected to play in the top 3: Zarena Jafry (Middlesex) and Hannah Burns (Phillips Academy)
  • Expected to play in the middle 3: Olivia Ladd-Luthringhauser (Groton) and Karthik Sahana (United World College, Southeast Asia)
  • Expected to play in the bottom 3: Sinclair Meggitt (Lawrenceville), Chista Irani (Taft), and Isabella Libassi (Sacred Heart)

Captains: Paget Stanco

Team Goals: Top-20 ranking finish

Key Matches: Colby, Conn College, Hamilton, St. Lawrence, Virginia

To read other team previews, please visit the 2015-2016 College Squash Season Previews page.

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