South Hadley, MA — Mount Holyoke is optimistic about the 2015 – 2016 season. Last season, the team had a number of injuries that prevented them from meeting their full potential. Yet there were many positives. Samantha Rosado, one of two seniors from last season’s Team Championship starting nine, won the Wentzel Award, presented to a senior who began playing squash in college and has progressed to a high level of skill, demonstrates sound understanding of the game, and exhibits good sportsmanship and a positive demeanor on the court. Last season, the Lyons were 0-2 in 5-4 matches, with both losses coming at Team Championships. “We will need to focus on improving as a team and preparing well so that we pull out the close matches,” states head coach Erin Robson. The team plans to volunteer once again at the Peck School in Holyoke, MA. Last year, the Lyons introduced Peck School students to squash. Catherine Ryan and Sanjna Merchant will be Mount Holyoke’s captains. Ryan, who learned to play squash in college, is also the all-time assist leader for Mount Holyoke’s lacrosse program. If the Lyons can capture close matches, watch them rise in the rankings and contend for a position in the Walker Cup.
2014-2015 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 7-17
Final Ranking: 28
Team Championships: 4th in the Epps Cup (D Division)
By the Numbers (From US Squash): 5-4 Matches Won: 0 of 2… Top 3 Win %: 0.3333… Middle 3 Win %: 0.375… Lower 3 Win %: 0.2778
2015-2016 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: Erin Robson
Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Brandy Williamson (2018 – Seven Sisters All-Tournament Team); 3. Sanjna Merchant (2017); 4. Allison Shilling (2017); 6. Catherine Ryan (2016); 7. Emily Chang (2018 – Seven Sisters All-Tournament Team); 8. Anna Hartman (2016); 9. Amanda Lee (2017); 10. Ann Wong (2016)
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from 2014-2015 Team Championships: 2. Samantha Rosado (2015 – CSA Wetzel Award, CSA Scholar Athlete); 5. Xianger Fei (2015 – CSA Scholar Athlete); 11. Kate Block (2015)
Additions to the 2015-2016 Roster:
- Expected to play in the top 3: Sherouk Khefagy (2016) and Ragini Ghose (2019, Millfield School – England)
- Expected to play in the middle 3: Lessly Portillo (2019, Hill Regional Magnet High School)
- Expected to play in the bottom 3: Tanishka Sachidanand (2019, Canadian International School – India)
- Other addition: Shuang Wu (2019, Stanstead School)
Captains: Catherine Ryan and Sanjna Merchant
Team Goals: Improving as a team and preparing well so that we pull out the close matches.
Key Matches: Conn College, Tufts, Wellesley, and William Smith
To read other team previews, please visit the 2015-2016 College Squash Season Previews page.
