Lewiston, ME — Bates has been holding steady as a strong force in the Kurtz Cup (B Division). After improving from 14th to 11th two seasons ago, the Bobcats maintained their position, finishing fourth at the NESCAC tournament and third in their division at the Women’s National Team Championships (Howe Cup).
While Bates has lost two players from last season’s varsity lineup, they have five new players who will join an already diverse team. “The 2011-2012 teams consists of student-athletes from 3 urban squash programs, 6 foreign countries and 12 US States,” explains head coach Pat Cosquer. The new players are Nessrine Ariffin (Penang, Malaysia), Zaina Ameen (Islamabad, Pakistan), Myriam Kelly (Bronx, NY), Chloe Mitchell (Chatham, NJ), and Lesea Bourke (Greenwich, CT).
Also joining the program will be assistant coach Holly Parker, a Dartmouth alum who has coached at the Brooks School and the Portland YMCA. Plans for a new, 12-15 court squash facility are also moving ahead, which should help give the team a competitive edge in coming years.
2010-2011 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 15-11
Final Ranking: 11
Team Championships: 3rd in Kurtz Cup (B Division)
2011-2012 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: Pat Cosquer
Returning Players from Team Championships: (1) Cheri-Ann Parris (First Team All-NESCAC); (2) Mimi Neal; (3) Ashley Brooks; (4) Alison Bragg; (6) Samantha Matos (Second Team All-NESCAC); (7) Rakey Drammeh (NESCAC All-Sportsmanship Team); (9) Jane Mayer; (10) Liza Dorison (NESCAC All-Academic Team)
Graduated/Non-returning players from 2010-2011 Team: (5) Stephanie Cabot; (8) Anna Hogeland (NESCAC All-Academic Team, CSA Scholar Athlete); (11) Emily Russell
Additions to the 2011-2012 roster: Zaina Ameen, Nessrine Ariffin, Lesea Bourke, Myriam Kelly, and Chloe Mitchell
Captains: Mimi Neal and Cheri-Ann Parris
Team Goals: To be the best team they can be and to come together as a team by learning from and respecting each other’s differences
Key Matches: Every match, especially NESCAC and Ivy matches
To read other team previews, please visit the 2011-2012 College Squash Season Previews page.