After failing to notch a win in the NESCAC and Little Three Championships, the Cards’ impressive 7-2 win over Vassar Sunday eased some tension for the men’s squash team. The Cardinals lost three matches on Feb. 2 and 3 in the NESCACs before falling 9-0 to both Amherst and Williams – the eventual Little Three Champion – in the Little Three Championships last Saturday.
However, on Sunday a different team showed up and performed perhaps as well as it had all season. Each win in the 7-2 victory was a 3-0 shutout, with Tyler Snell ’09 carving a 9-0, 9-0, 9-0 perfect match in the number nine spot.
Other standout performers included Benjie Messenger-Barnes ’09 (#5), Devin Gorman-DaRif ’08 (#6), and Nate Fowles ’10 (#7), who only lost four points in each of their shutout wins.
“Against Williams and Amherst, it’s hard to play outside of our comfort zones,” Messenger-Barnes said. “It is hard to incorporate the new techniques we learn and practice on great players. Against Vassar we had the opportunity to play outside of our comfort zones, take a few more shots, risks, and new approaches.”
The win marks only the fifth for the Cardinals this season, but it comes at an appropriate time. Upcoming for the squash team is a nine-day break and then a final tune up match against Conn. College before nationals. The confidence from Sunday’s win, and possibly more of it from next Tuesday’s regular season finale, could stimulate further success at nationals.
“In our match against Conn., we really want to put it all together and take whatever techniques we have and make them come into play during the tournament,” Messenger-Barnes said.
See for yourself if the men’s squash team can keep the ball rolling against Conn. next Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Rosenbaum Squash Center at Freeman.
The Cards will stay close to home for nationals as well, which will be held at Yale Feb. 23 to Feb. 25.
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