In the CSA Men’s Match of the Week, the University of Virginia men’s squash team made a resounding statement with a 6-3 victory over Columbia University at the McArthur Squash Center at Boar’s Head Sports Club. With both teams carrying lofty expectations and top-10 national rankings – UVA ranked #6 and Columbia ranked #8 – this early-season matchup promised excitement.
For UVA, this win marked a strong start to the season, affirming their #6 ranking and their ambitions to be a major contender this year. After falling to Columbia twice last season, including a 5-4 loss at the National Team Championships, the Cavaliers showcased their talent and depth in this performance – with a mix of CSA veterans and talented rookies, UVA capitalized on their home-court advantage to secure the win.
The match began with UVA taking an early lead, as John Paul Tew and Ewan Harris earned decisive 3-0 victories at the #2 and #8 positions, respectively. Columbia’s Thomas Soltanian kept the Lions within reach with a win at #4, leaving the score at 2-1 in favor of UVA after the opening matches.
Karim Elbarbary extended UVA’s lead in the next set of matches with a confident 3-1 win at the #1 position. However, Columbia’s Zach Nam answered back with a hard-fought four-game victory over Dylan Moran at #5. With the team score at 3-2, UVA’s Francis Hajek stepped up in the #9 position and delivered a gritty five-game victory, pushing the Cavaliers to a 4-2 advantage.
The clinching moment came when freshman Juan Jose Torres, playing at #3, won his maiden CSA match in straight games, earning the fifth match for UVA and sealing the victory for the Cavaliers.
Assistant Coach Grant White praised the team’s preparation and effort, stating: “This team has trained with a phenomenal amount of intensity, purpose, and passion since our opening practice back at the end of August. So today’s win over Columbia is one that they absolutely deserved and one that their coaches were proud and gratified to see them take. The composure that our guys showed in the toughest moments was key to the result. We competed at every position with the same determination that has characterized our practices, our challenge matches, and our overall team mentality.”
He continued, “In the six wins we took today, we showed the range of talents and strengths that we possess. Talk about being able to pick up wins every which way, the two matches that sealed it for us are a case in point. An absolute grind by fourth-year co-captain Evan Hajek and a few minutes later, first-year Juan Torres turns in a decisive 3-0 win for the clincher. That sort of capacity to produce points across class years, ladder positions, and styles of play is a powerful statement.”
Columbia, though falling short in this match, proved why they are consistently regarded as one of the top teams in College Squash Association. Their players battled fiercely, showing the depth and resilience that make them a perennial threat. Despite the result, the Lions’ performance underscores their potential to challenge top teams this season.
With this victory, UVA sets the tone as a team to watch this year and can celebrate a confidence-boosting win, while Columbia will use this early challenge as fuel for the road ahead.
