Philadelphia, PA — Penn came so close last season. They completed the year with a 14 – 2 record and a second place finish at the 2016 Women’s College Squash Association National Team Championships. Their two losses both came to Harvard, once in the regular season, 3-6, and once in the national championship final, 4-5. This season, the Quakers want to pick up where they left off last season. The squad is eyeing an Ivy League title and a national championship. The team is expecting three newcomers to replace the three graduates from last season. “We are very excited about the first-year class—they are a talented group and possess a positive attitude! We expect great things from the Class of 2020,” states head coach and director of squash Jack Wyant. Wyant has added Emery Maine Greenwood as an assistant coach. The team will be volunteering with SquashSmarts again this season. During winter break, the Quakers will visit and train in California. If Penn can avoid injuries, they should be in the hunt for the national title this season.
2015-2016 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 14-2
Final Ranking: 2
Team Championships: 2nd in the Howe Cup (A Division)
By the Numbers (From US Squash): 5-4 Matches Won: 1 of 2… Top 3 Win%: .875… Middle 3 Win%: .938… Lower 3 Win%: .750…
2016-2017 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: Jack Wyant
Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Reeham Sedky Salah (2019); 2. Melissa Alves (2018); 3. Anaka Alankamony (2017 – First Team All-American; All-Ivy League Team); 5. Marie Stephan (2018 – First Team All-American); 6. Michelle Wong (2017); 7. Rowaida Walid Attia (2019); 10. Grace Van Arkel (2017 – CSA Scholar Athlete);
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from Team Championships: 4. Yan Xin Tan (2016 – First Team All-American; All-Ivy League Team; Academic All-Ivy); 8. Haidi Lala (2016); 9. Camille Lanier (2016);
Additions to the 2016-2017 Roster:
- Lindsay Stanley
- Jessica Davis
- Clare Kearns
Captains: Grace Van Arkel and Melissa Alves
Team Goals: To compete for an Ivy championship and continue to be in the hunt for a national championship.
Key Matches: Harvard, Trinity, Princeton, and Stanford
To read other team previews, please visit the 2016-2017 College Squash Season Previews page.
