The Penn women’s squash team is on a mission for perfection, extending their streak of dominance with a pair of 9-0 wins over No. 8 Williams and No. 16 Amherst Saturday.
With the convincing doubleheader victory, the No. 3 Quakers (9-0, 3-0 Ivy) have now swept their last six matches and have only lost three games in their nine wins this season.
The biggest victory of the day came against Williams (10-3) in the No. 1 spot. With senior captain Kristen Lange staying home to play in a local professional tournament, freshman Nabilla Ariffin did not disappoint defeating Toby Eyer, who ranks in the top five in the nation, 3-1.
“Kristen has beaten Toby a few times so we were eager to see Nabilla face her,” Penn coach Jack Wyant said. “It was obviously a bit of a risk, but she performed as we hoped she would, and we came away without a blemish in the record.”
Against Amherst (3-4), junior Annie Madeira did not give up a single point at the No. 6 spot. She defeated her opponent Caroline Henry in straight sets 11-0, 11-0, 11-0.
“Annie has showed a lot of progress and played an aggressive game,” Wyant said. “I think we are just a better team, and her score line really showed that.”
The Quakers have attributed the success of their perfect season to hard work and determination. According to Wyant, such a precedent starts from a group of motivated seniors.
This years crop is led by captain Sydney Scott, who after losing her first game of the season, has gone undefeated since.
“I think Sydney feels like it’s her senior year, and it’s her last shot at this,” Wyant said. “Given this is her last go-around, she is really trying to make the most of every opportunity she’s got.”
Yet Scott is not the only member of the senior class who has continued to impress.
“Britt [Hebden] and Christina [Matthias], both seniors whom I expect a lot from to lead our team in matches, really have been delivering,” he said. “They showed leadership in both matches today.”
The team hopes to carry its hard work and motivation into next weekend’s wildly anticipated showdown against Trinity. The No. 2 Bantams are the toughest opponent that the Quakers have faced thus far.
But if this Saturday’s sweep of two top twenty teams is any indication, Penn can set its hopes high that its quest for perfection just may live on.
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