POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Mount Holyoke College squash team kicked-off its 2018-19 season with a statement, posting three victories at the Vassar Round Robin on Saturday. The Lyons defeated Fordham University, Georgetown University and Vassar College - all by 9-0 margins. The Lyons are now 3-0 on the young season.
In the opener against the Rams, the Lyons set the tone early. Rookie Mihiliya Kalahe Arachchige grabbed victory from the top of the ladder, besting Emily Couch by an 11-2, 11-3, 11-4 margin for her first collegiate victory. At two, senior Nadhindi Udangawa earned an 11-0, 11-1, 11-1 victory against Julia Seebode. From three, senior Ragini Ghose recorded an 11-3, 11-1, 11-4 win over Malloy McGreevey.
Four saw first year Maeve Watts-Roy earn the first win of her college career with an 11-1, 11-0, 11-1 win over Kat Coleman, while at five, senior Lessly Portillo was a winner against Kenzie Allen by an 11-3, 11-3, 11-0 margin. At six, sophomore Jennifer Mbah posted an 11-1, 11-1, 11-1 win against Emily Bergon, while classmate Kuzivakwashe Madungwe bested Amanda D'Antone, 11-3, 11-3, 11-7 at seven.
From eight, senior Tanishka Sachidanand defeated Olivia Distefano, 11-1, 11-4, 11-2, while sophomore Genesis Lara Granados wrapped up the victory with an 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 against Caroline Westdyk.
The middle match saw the Lyons take on the Hoyas from Georgetown. Kalahe Arachchige won again from the top, besting Maddy Forbes by an 11-1, 11-2, 11-4 margin. Udangawa then defeated Nina Thomas, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 from two, while Ghose posted an 11-4, 11-3, 11-5 win over Julia Sachman at three.
Watts-Roy earned her second win of the day with an 11-5, 11-7, 8-11, 11-1 victory over Elle Santry, while at five, Portillo was victorious, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3, 11-1. Mbah bested Grace Fagin by a 12-10, 11-7, 11-5 margin from six, while Madungwe earned an 11-0, 11-4, 12-10 win against Meghan Zorc at seven.
From eight, Sachidanand took on Sophie Stewart, earning an 11-2, 11-4, 11-3 win. Lara Granados once again closed out the efforts at nine, defeating Jemima Denham, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4.
Mount Holyoke earned its third win of the afternoon against the host Brewers. Kalahe Arachchige took the top ladder match by an 11-0, 11-1, 11-3 margin over Claire Coss, while Udangawa bested Julia Pollak from two by an 11-5, 11-4, 11-3 score. Ghose was an 11-1, 11-1, 11-6 winner over Amanda Watson at three, while Watts-Roy remained perfect in her debut with an 11-6, 11-1, 11-6 win against Allegra von Hirschberg from four.
Portillo bested Alexa Elias, 11-6, 11-1, 11-6 from five, while Mbah defeated Isabel Bronson, 11-6, 11-1, 11-0 at six. Madungwe posted an 11-3, 11-2, 11-3 win against Nicole Philstrom at seven, Sachidanand recorded an 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 victory over Natalia Lanzoni, while Lara Granados defeated Mira Michels-Gaualti, 11-6, 11-3, 11-3.
Mount Holyoke is back in action on November 17 when it travels to the Bard College Round Robin. The Lyons will face Fordham at 12pm, followed by a 3pm match-up against the University of Rochester.
