SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. - Led by solid victories from both ends of the ladder, the Mount Holyoke College squash team opened its 2013-14 season with an 8-1 victory over Tufts University. The Lyons came up victorious in nearly every position, including the top four slots. The Jumbos are now 0-1 and recorded a win in the fifth spot.

Senior captains Randima Ranaweera and Shaheen Madraswala paced the way, recording wins in each of the first two flights. Ranaweera defeated Paget Stanco by an 11-4, 11-7, 11-7 margin, while Madraswala had an 11-4, 11-2, 11-4 victory over Lynn Cheng at number two.

Sophomore Sherouk Khefagy picked up an 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 win against Anna Bezahler, while in the fourth position, senior Katrina Intal won by an 11-7, 11-6, 11-1 margin over Tammara Gray.

The Jumbos picked up the lone point as Ann Bellinger posted an 11-5, 11-7, 11-8 win against senior Elyse Taylor, but the Lyons responded in the bottom of the ladder, starting with first year Allison Shilling. She recorded an 11-8, 11-6, 11-9 victory against Caroline Howe to pick up her first collegiate victory, while classmate Sanjna Merchant also posted her first career win with an 11-5, 11-2, 11-1 win over Sally Pratt in the seventh flight.

Junior Xianger Fei defeated Eleanor Moore handily by an 11-6, 11-1, 11-1 margin and sophomore Catherine Ryan rounded out the scoring efforts for MHC with an 11-3, 11-1, 11-1 win against Rachael Jackson.

The Lyons return to action tomorrow when they travel to Williams for a 6pm match against the Ephs. Tufts is also in action on Saturday with a 3:30pm match against Brandeis.