PRINCETON, N.J. (Feb. 20, 2011) – For the second year in a row, the Mount Holyoke College women's squash team was edged 5-4 by Bates College in the consolation match of College Squash Association National Championships at Princeton University. Senior Vidushi Gurunada, junior Shara Robertson, first year Shaheen Madraswala and sophomore Tempest Bowden each collected wins for the Lyons.
Competing in the Kurtz Cup (B Division), seventh seeded Mount Holyoke opened the weekend with a thrilling 6-3 victory over second seeded Middlebury College on Friday. As a result of their upset win, the Lyons moved on to the semifinal round, where they were dropped 6-3 by third seeded Williams College yesterday.
Mount Holyoke closed out the 2010-11 campaign with an overall record of 14-12. For the second straight season, the Lyons will occupy the 12th slot in the final national rankings. Several members of the team will compete in the CSA Individual Championships in two weeks at Dartmouth College. The event is slated to begin on Friday, March 4 and conclude on Sunday, March 6.
Gurunada, Madraswala and Bowden each cruised to 3-0 victories in their matches to set the tone for Mount Holyoke. Over the course of the weekend, Bowden posted a perfect 3-0 mark at the number five position. She swept all three of her matches, dropping just 65 points along the way.
Robertson also came out on top in her number three tilt, winning by a score of 4-1.
First year Katrina Intal took the first game of her number six contest before eventually falling 4-1.
Cheri-Ann Parris (1), Samantha Matos (6), Rakey Drammeh (7), Liza Dorison (8) and Jane Mayer (9) produced victories for Bates, which capped off its season with an overall record of 15-11. The Bobcats entered the tournament as the fourth seed and will finish the season with a national ranking of 11 for the second straight time.
Inside photo by Michael T. Bello - mtbello.com
