Charlottesville, VA — Virginia is not hiding anything. They want to challenge the established squash powers and move from 29th in the nation to a top-16 ranking position. To accomplish this goal, the team has enhanced its schedule. According to assistant coach Grant White, “We needed to overhaul our schedule. We have made a concerted effort to schedule matches with teams that have traditionally been far above us, both geographically and in the CSA rankings. We will be making two regular-season trips to New England: to Boston ahead of Thanksgiving and to Maine following winter break.” With the goal of jumping two divisions in the rankings, top talent was needed. The Cavaliers are expecting six first-year students to join the top 9, including three first year students competing for spots in the top 4. Senior Matt Schwartz, Virginia’s team president, returns for his senior campaign. With such a young squad this year, leadership from Schwartz and fellow seniors will be crucial. “Matt is a leader in a special way–not a rah rah guy, but a person who so embodies the virtues of good sportsmanship, hard work, humility, and genuine interest in the well being of the team and his teammates, that it’s impossible not to see him as a role model. When most people listen to one another, they are listening to respond. Matt is the rare case of a person who listens in order to understand,” adds White. A top 16 ranking going into Team Championships may be challenging, but a spot in the Summers Cup (C Division) could be within reach.
2014-2015 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 13-6
Final Ranking: 29
Team Championships: 5th in the Conroy Cup (D Division)
By the Numbers (From US Squash): 5-4 Matches Won: 1 of 3… Top 3 Win %: 0.6842… Middle 3 Win %: 0.6842… Lower 3 Win %: 0.6727
2015-2016 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Club
Head Coach: Mark Allen
Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Mason Blake (2018); 2. Stewart Staunton (2017); 4. Max Novick (2018); 6. Campbell Goodman (2016); 7. Nick Van Eck (2018); 8. Matt Schwartz (2016); 9. Russell Bogue (2016 – CSA Academic Recognition); 10. Jack Pellington (2016)
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from 2014-2015 Team Championships: 3. Matt Brown (2015 – CSA Academic Recognition); 5. Ned Whelan (2015); 11. Peter Dorsey (2015)
Additions to the 2015-2016 Roster:
- Expected to play in the top 4: Jarrett Odrich (Brunswick School), Grayson Bubrosky (New Canaan High School), and Henry Woodworth (Weston High School)
- Expected to play in 4-9: Killian Bubrosky (New Canaan), James Dudzik (Brunswick School), and Conner Ward (Boy’s Latin)
- Other addition: Winston Minor (Choate Rosemary Hall)
Captain: Mason Blake
Team Goals: To finish in the top 16 in the CSA rankings
Key Matches: Traditional powers from the NESCAC and other New England/northern Mid-Atlantic programs
To read other team previews, please visit the 2015-2016 College Squash Season Previews page.
