Evanston, IL — Northwestern’s first season of play resulted in a national ranking of 41st. This season, the team hopes to improve and move up the rankings. To do this, the Wildcats realize they will need to play stronger teams. The team is planning to travel to the East Coast during the regular season to accomplish that goal. In addition, the team is looking to avenge last season’s loss to Washington in St. Louis. Northwestern did not lose a player to graduation, so the entire roster will bring last season’s experience to the 2014 – 2015 season. Team founder and tri-captain Alyssa Brewer, a senior, will look to guide the Wildcats to further success this season. Last season’s top-4 ladder positions were very successful, winning 95% of their matches. However, the team needs to increase production from the remaining positions, especially 8 and 9, which did not win a match last season. That said, the team rarely played regular season matches with or against rosters with 9 players. To complete their goal of moving up the rankings, Northwestern will need to play more squads with a full roster and gain more production from the lower half of their line-up.
2013-2014 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 9-1
Final Ranking: 41
Team Championships: 9th in the E Division
By the Numbers (From US Squash): Did Not Play Any 5-4 Matches;… Position with the Most Wins: #2s and 3s had 10 Wins.
2014-2015 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Emerging Club
Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Karna Nangia (2016); 2. Marisa Bhargava (2017); 3. Jaclyn Edelson (2015); 4. Alyssa Brewer (2015); 5. Sophie Frishberg (2015); 6. Meghan Schmitt (2015); 7. Marnee Irby (2017); 8. Jane Gross (2016); 9. Sophia Falmagne (2016)
Additions to the 2014-2015 Roster:
- Expected to play in the bottom 3: Cara Franke, (Maine West High School)
Captains: Marisa Bhargava, Jackie Edelson, and Alyssa Brewer
Team Goals: Play non-Midwest teams.
Key Matches: Washington University in St. Louis
To read other team previews, please visit the 2014-2015 College Squash Season Previews page.
State College, PA — Penn State is looking improve its ranking and win their respective division at the 2014 – 2015 Men’s College Squash Association National Team Championships. The 
Brunswick, ME — Last season, Bowdoin finished by placing 3rd in the Walker Cup. At championships, 
Annapolis, MD — The Naval Academy squad is poised for a successful season. The Midshipmen are stocked with players. According to head coach Craig Dawson, “This year’s team will be dangerous with ten varsity players returning and only the loss of one starter.” He adds that five incoming recruits have the “potential to be one of the stronger additions in any season.” The Naval Academy will look to repeat as the intercollegiate doubles champions. Last season, Andrew McGuinness and Hunter Beck won the title by defeating teammates Jim Kacergis and Bill Kacergis. The Mids will also continue to draw on their mental toughness; Navy proved their mettle by winning 80% of their 5-4 matches, a feat they hope to improve on this season. The Midshipmen will be led by senior captain McGuiness, a mainstay in the top-2 positions of their line-up. McGuiness, an Oceanography major, who is known for his sense of fair play and sportsmanship, has volunteered with the Urban Squash programs Squash Wise and Squash Smarts, led at the Naval Academy’s Summer Seminar, and attended the Captain’s Encounter leadership program. McGuiness is joined by fellow seniors James Kacergis, Colin Barry, and John Hsu in leading the Naval Academy team this season. With the experience line-up, newcomers, and senior leadership, Navy is ready for the adventure of the 2014 – 2015 campaign. In June of 2015, the team will travel to France to attend the ceremony for the 71st anniversary D-Day invasion at Omaha beach. While in France, the team will play squash in Paris and Caen.
Ithaca, NY — At the conclusion of last season, Cornell finished sixth in the national rankings. The Big Red would like to improve on that ranking and move into the top 5. Head Coach Julee Devoy recognizes that the team also has company in that goal. She explains that they are “watching our back closely as there are many improving teams with more and more international players arriving on the college scene.” Last season, Cornell did not play any 5-4 matches, which may be needed this season to make the jump into the top 5. Cornell will be led by senior co-captain Danielle Letourneau, a decorated Canadian player, who has occupied the top spot in the Big Red’s line-up for the past three seasons. The All-American and All-Ivy League player will be joined by co-captain Reut Odinak in heading up a squad that will be be looking to replace its 2, 5, and 9 from last season’s championship roster. Look for the five first-year students to shift into the middle and bottom of the ladder. With only two seniors on the team, Cornell is a young but very eager team that is hungry to prove itself during the 2014 – 2015 college squash season.
Carlisle, PA — Dickinson is fully committed to college squash. The school decided to establish a varsity squash program a few years ago. They built five CourtTech courts, including a 2-wall glass show court, and 
Northampton, MA — Last season was challenging for the Pioneers. After all, they went 1-10 and graduated their number one player, who recorded the most individual wins on the team. Yet things look very positive for Smith. The majority of the team learned how to play last season and they will be joined by four experienced players returning from their study abroad year. This includes Jacqueline Zhou, Smith’s top player during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. While studying in England, Zhou had the opportunity to play squash at the London School of Economics, which should only further her opportunity at the top of Smith’s ladder. Smith does have two players going abroad this season, but only for the first semester. Smith could make the jump from the E Division back to the Epps Cup (D Division). The seniors on this year’s squad captured the Epps Cup as first-years students in 2012. Coach Tim Bacon is known for teaching the game to players. Bacon explains that “there is a 100% focus on becoming a better player with correct technique and excellent tactics.”
Charleston, SC — The College of Charleston is part of a growing number of teams in the southern portion of the United States. The Cougars are seeking to continue developing as a squash team, and hopefully win more matches. On paper, it appears that the strength of the Charleston line-up was at the bottom of ladder last season; however, the Cougars often played matches with or against rosters with less than 9 players. To make an improvement in the rankings, Charleston will need to play with and against teams with 9 players. The team is looking forward to facing the University of Virginia again this year. According to co-captain Jeff Heath, “We’ve had a lot of fun in the past and we will continue to do so this year, but we will be looking to have a more competitive team as well as a more rigorous schedule as to training and tournaments.” If that happens, look for Charleston to move up the rankings.