Williamstown, MA — For the first time, Williams played in last season’s Summers Cup (C Division) at the Men’s College Squash Association National Team Championships. The Ephs plan to return to a top-15 finish this season. Williams graduated three players from last season but is expecting four additions to the line-up this season. At the top of the ladder will be co-captain Jamie Ruggiero, who has aspirations to play professionally after college. Last season the Ephs captured another Little Three Championship over rivals Amherst and Wesleyan. Williams was 0-2 in 5-4 matches last year. Reversing those results against Middlebury and Navy will be crucial to improvement this season. To attain a top-15 finish, the Ephs will need to seize opportunities in close matches. If Williams can win tight matches and its new plays step up to fill vacancies in the ladder, Williams should be able to claim one of the final positions in the Hoehn Cup.
2015-2016 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 10-16
Final Ranking: 18
Team Championships: 2nd in the Summers Cup (C Division)
By the Numbers (From US Squash): 5-4 Matches Won: 0 of 2… Top 3 Win%: .436… Middle 3 Win%: .551… Lower 3 Win%: .462…
2016-2017 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: Zafi Levy
Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Jamie Ruggiro (2017 – NESCAC First-Team); 2. John Fitzgerald (2019 – NESCAC Second-Team); 3. John Shuck (2017 – NESCAC All-Academic); 6. David Pincus (2019); 7. Jamie Havran (2018); 8. Mason Elizando (2018); 10. Will Ruggiero (2019); 11. Andrew Litvin (2018 – NESCAC All-Academic);
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from Team Championships: 4. Galen Squires (2016); 5. Michael Petrick (2016); 9. Varun Sharma (2016);
Additions to the 2016-2017 Roster:
- Ben Eisenberg (transfer from Penn)
- Claude Smith
- Will Means
- Carl Shuck
Captains: John Shuck and Jamie Ruggiero
Team Goals: Top-15 finish
Key Matches: Bates, Middlebury, Brown, Navy, and Amherst
To read other team previews, please visit the 2016-2017 College Squash Season Previews page.
