Medford, MA — Tufts will be a young team this season. In fact, according to head coach Joe McManus, “There are no seniors on this year’s team. Seven of our nine players expected to play in the top 9 are freshmen or sophomores.” The team was perfect (3 for 3) in 5-4 matches last year. This experience will be crucial as the Jumbos continue to grow. The team is looking to move higher in the rankings and higher in the Walker Cup draw. Tufts is eyeing matches with Hamilton, Colby, Bates, Connecticut, Dickinson, St Lawrence, and Wellesley. These matches will show how the team is maturing. NESCAC matches are always vital. The Jumbos intend to be a factor in the main NESCAC tournament draw this season. Tufts’ incoming class features three players, two of whom should compete for spots in the top 3, while the other is expected to fight for a spot in the middle 3. The Jumbos’ ladder appears the deepest it has been in years, which will only help the team lay the ground work for future seasons. Look for the 2016 – 2017 Tufts squad to be the launching point for success over the next few seasons.
2015-2016 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 13-9
Final Ranking: 23
Team Championships: 7th in the Walker Cup (C Division)
By the Numbers (From US Squash): 5-4 Matches Won: 3 of 3… Top 3 Win%: .545… Middle 3 Win%: .576… Lower 3 Win%: .432…
2016-2017 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: Joe McManus
Returning Players from Team Championships: 2. Zarena Jafry (2019); 3. Hannah Burns (2019); 4. Sahana Karthik (2019); 5. Lauren Banner (2018); 6. Claudia Udolf (2018); 7. Sinclair Meggitt (2019); 8. Chista Irani (2019 – NESCAC All-Sportsmanship); 10. Isabella Libassi (2019);
Studying Abroad First Semester: 9. Gabrielle Salomon (2018);
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Paget Stanco (2016 – NESCAC Second-Team); 11. Lily Hayes (2019);
Additions to the 2016-2017 Roster:
- Expected to play in the top 3: Claire Davidson (2020, Portsmouth Abbey) and Catherine Shanahan (2020, Seven Hills, Cincinnati, OH)
- Expected to play in the middle 3: Sahar Tirmizi (2020, Harvard-Westlake, Los Angeles, CA) and Olivia Ladd-Luthringshauser (2019, Groton School)
Captain: Claudia Udolf
Team Goals: Compete for the Walker Cup
Key Matches: Hamilton, Colby, Bates, Connecticut, Dickinson, St Lawrence, and Wellesley
To read other team previews, please visit the 2016-2017 College Squash Season Previews page.
