Lancaster, PA — For the 2016 – 2017 season, the Diplomats will be working to improve upon last season’s goals. And what were those goals? They were to improve in the B Division and to grow closer as a team. Franklin & Marshall checked off goal #1 by winning the Kurtz Cup consolation semifinal against Middlebury on the second day of the Women’s National Team Championships. Although the Diplomats lost in the consolation final, that win against the Panthers gave them the #14 spot in the nation, finishing one place ahead of their 2014 – 2015 finish. To improve upon last year’s final ranking, F&M will either need to win the consolation semifinals or advance in the main draw on the first day of team championships. Improving in close matches would help the Diplomats achieve their goal; they were 0-2 in 5-4 matches last season. The team will be losing two players from the starting nine — one from the top 3 and one from the bottom 3 — and have two incoming players expected to play in the bottom 3. With a more seasoned squad, expect the Diplomats to hold their own in the B Division. As for growing closer as a team, plans for a training trip to California should give the players opportunities to get to know each other on and off the court.
2015-2016 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 6-10
Final Ranking: 14
Team Championships: 6th in the Kurtz Cup (B Division)
By the Numbers (From US Squash): 5-4 Matches Won: 0 of 2… Top 3 Win%: .521… Middle 3 Win%: .438… Lower 3 Win%: .438…
2016-2017 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: Gavin Jones
Associate Head Coach: Ron Epps
Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Serilyn Yang (2018); 2. Fiona Murphy (2017); 4. Lauren Johnston (2018); 5. Dulakshi Elikewela (2017); 6. Andreina Benedith (2018); 7. Ellen Verry (2019); 8. Katherine O’Brien (2017); 11. Melissa Epstein (2019);
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from Team Championships: 3. Emily Caldwell (2016); 9. Cris Margaret Frias (2016); 10. Jazmin Matos (2016);
Additions to the 2016-2017 Roster:
- Expected to play in the lower 3: Katherine Galambos, Clare Tompkins,
- Other addition: Liana Zranchev and Kendyl Kratzer
Captains: Katherine O’Brien and Dulakshi Elikewela
Team Goals: To grow as a team.
Key Matches: All matches
To read other team previews, please visit the 2016-2017 College Squash Season Previews page.
