PRINCETON, N.J. – The Mount Holyoke College squash team pulled out a 7-2 victory over Wellesley College in the consolation semifinals of the Walker Cup at the CSA National Championships. With the win, the Lyons improved to 10-11, while the Blue slipped to 13-7 overall.
MHC moves on to the consolation finals where it will face Wesleyan University. That match takes place on Sunday at 10:30am. The Blue will play Colby College, also on Sunday at 10:30am, in the consolation playoff.
Against the Blue, the Lyons opened up a 2-1 lead after junior Samantha Rosado defeated Haley Vasquez, 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-6) in the third spot. Sophomore Catherine Ryan then posted a 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-1) win against Mollie Jain in the nines.
Lyons' sophomore Sherouk Khefagy then recorded a 3-0 (11-2, 11-7, 11-5) victory against Meera Nayar in the second flight, but the Blue responded with a win over their own to narrow the lead. Junior Xianger Fei put the Lyons up by a 4-2 advantage with a hard-fought 3-1 (11-2, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8) victory against Kate Loftus at eight.
First year Sanjna Merchant went on to beat Ruby Feng, 3-0 (11-2, 11-7, 11-6) at seven, while senior Katrina Intal downed Gabriella Wynne, 3-0 (12-10, 11-8, 11-7) at four to make it a 6-2 lead.
Senior captain Randima Ranaweera wrapped up the points for the Lyons, picking up a 3-0 (11-6, 11-3, 11-5) win against Sarah Del Balzo at the top of the ladder.