– Lovey Roundtree CSA Director Of Expansion

As the squash season kicks off and we celebrate Women’s Squash Week, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what makes this sport such a powerful part of the college experience – and why it must continue to grow.

At its best, college squash brings together both sides of the student-athlete experience. There is the competitive drive – results, rankings, and the pursuit of excellence – but also the community that comes from working toward those goals together as a team. What makes women’s squash so powerful is that excellence is never just individual – it is built through the collective effort of the team. Every player, from the top of the ladder to the last spot, plays a role in shaping outcomes. Along the way, the sport teaches discipline, resilience, and balance, while creating a true community. On a women’s team, your presence matters – your effort, your growth, and your support of your teammates all contribute to something bigger than yourself. That dynamic creates belonging, camaraderie, and respect that endure long after college.

Women’s squash is thriving and growing. This week alone, our screens were filled with images of players at every level, from juniors to alumni, celebrating the women’s game. In college squash, the energy is real: more junior girls are considering the sport as part of their college experience, and the CSA is actively pursuing efforts to expand varsity opportunities to meet this demand. Still, there is significant opportunity ahead: many college rosters have space for additional players, and programs across the CSA are eager to welcome them.

The official recruiting window for college squash opened on September 2 for students in their junior year of high school, marking the start of a critical period for those eager to play at the next level. For freshmen and sophomores, now is the time to start thinking about the opportunity to play in college and the steps that will help turn that goal into reality.

At the College Squash Association, we believe women’s squash is essential to the health and growth of our sport. Our vision is to:

Increase the number of women’s teams at both the varsity and club levels.
Support the entire pathway, from introducing girls to squash in junior programs, to guiding them through the recruiting process and nurturing their college careers, to keeping women engaged post-college as coaches, mentors, and leaders.
Ensure equity in opportunity and access so that more female athletes can experience the benefits of a college team.

In my new role as Director of Expansion, I see this work as a top priority: every additional opportunity for women strengthens squash as a whole.

As someone who played rugby and ran track in college, many of my most meaningful memories came from being part of a team – the hours spent at practice, the pre-game rituals, the post-match dinners. Those moments built lifelong friendships and taught lessons far beyond competition.

Joining a squash team in college offers that same transformative experience. College squash has room for every kind of player who wants to compete and grow. Some arrive with years of high-level competition, while others build their game once they’re on campus. What matters is making the decision to play — because once you do, you’ll have the chance to develop as an athlete, be part of a team, and contribute meaningfully to your program.

Squash teaches us that every point matters, and in the same way, every player matters. The choice to play in college is more than a personal decision; it’s a chance to shape the future of the sport. So, take the next step.

Players: Talk to your coach, reach out to CSA, and start contacting college programs now.

Coaches & Parents: Encourage your junior girls to stay in the game and to see squash as part of their college experience.

Supporters: Help us grow opportunities by advocating for new teams, mentoring young athletes, and supporting our expansion efforts.

Say yes to being part of a team that will challenge you, support you, and stay with you for life. The future of women’s college squash is waiting, and it needs you in it.

Happy Women’s Squash Week – and remember to play more squash!