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By Hannah Charry, Trinity Tripod On-line
Aware of their weaknesses and eager to fine-tune, the women's squash team has earned its own spotlight this season. They finished 2007 with a 14-4 record, more disappointed by fractured relationships within the team than less than perfect game scores. The women have the same dedication as their male counterparts, but get less recognition.
Now undefeated at home with a 13-1 record, they recognize their own hard work at transforming themselves into a much happier, cohesive team. And now they are getting scores to match.
"Last year the environment was tense, competitive," said senior co-captain Hadley Schroll. "Everyone was walking on eggshells, but this year we broke down a lot of barriers trying to get comfortable with each other's differences [of personality and opinion]."
Schroll's classmate and co-captain Lauren Polonich agreed that something had to change.
Head Coach Wendy Bartlett cited that "we dug ourselves into a hole and finished number five. It was terrible. Our focus needed to return to squash and away from personal problems."
The co-captains took proactive measures and kicked off this season with a team- building session without the presence of coaches.
"We stressed that open communication can make our team a lot stronger. What people had to understand is that you're not always going to love the person you're playing next to, but you have to make the effort," said Schroll.
Two wins at home over Penn and Stanford brought confidence going into NESCAC Finals and affirmation that the team is working as a unit. The addition of sophomore Nayelly Hernandez gave the Bantams an edge in their win over Stanford on Friday, Feb. 1. The San Luis Potosi, Mexico native allowed only five points in her match, winning 9-4, 9-1, 9-0 against the Cardinal's Elizabeth Riley. Her peers highlighted this match as a great start for the promising younger player.
Hernandez is a newcomer to Bantam squash because she arrived in early January for winter training. Trinity is unique in the squash world for allowing new players to join the team in mid-season. Bartlett explained that this is done to accommodate international players whose home country runs on a different school calendar.
"New players bring in a fresh perspective while older players are comfortable with competing within the environment of a dynasty. We have experience from all ends," she said.
Assistant Coach Randy Lee is another keystone piece that helps to hold the team together. With over 30 years of expertise in psychology, he serves double duty as the Director of the Counseling Center and Assistant Professor of Psychology.
"I work with them on relaxation methods, keeping focus, how to deal with being nervous. I talk with them before matches about staying calm and offer advice on an individual basis. A great deal of any sport is the mental game," said Lee.
It seems to be helping.
The Bantams defeated Amherst, Colby, and Williams 9-0 each in Hartford on Sunday, Feb. 3.
"The challenge is that you get sloppy when playing uneven opponents. It was important to not play down to the level of the opponent but to what we are capable of," said Bartlett.
Schroll saw the weekend as a learning experience for what is to come.
"The schools that we played (in the tournament) aren't as good as the Ivies, but it was still definitely a good chance to have the opportunity to work on specific aspects of our game to use in future matches," she said.
The highlight match belonged to senior co-captain Lauren Polonich's fight for the final in a fifth game against Williams' first ranked Toby Eyre.
"By the fifth game with two evenly matched players, it came down to who was more mentally strong," said Bartlett. Polonich kept her cool to finish 3-9, 9-5, 9-7, 2-9, 9-6.
"We're more mentally tough this year than in the past. We've been working with Randy a lot," said Polonich. "One of the things he helped me do was to visualize a force field when I play to block out everything negative and focus on myself and what I can do in the moment."
Harvard brought a true test of emotions last Wednesday, Feb. 6 in the Kellner Center. While the women rejoiced their 7-2 victory, the men completed a decade of regular-season perfection with a 9-0 finish.
On the women's side, freshman Robyn Williams beat Harvard sophomore Charlene Neo 9-4, 5-9, 9-6, 4-9, 9-7 in the No. 8 spot. Sophomore Emily Paton came back from 2-0 to win over senior Supriya Balsekar. Her score in that number seven match was 9-10, 6-9, 9-2, 10-8, 9-4.
"It was inspiring to see how Emily stepped up her game to play a girl who had some much better shots than she did," said Polonich, who played the nation's ninth ranked player after going down 1-0 at the start. She finished 6-9, 10-8, 9-1, 9-1.
"I think that men's sports always get more attention, especially at this school, she added. "We're all so proud of them, but also it's tough for us trying to compete and get up there. At times when we're here with the guys they do a good job making us feel that we're just as good."
Freshman Emory Holton added, "The guys' and girls' teams are close because there is such a mix of people. Everyone is willing to help everyone else because we know what it's like to compete. I love being on the team because we're supportive of each other."
The women have another opportunity to solidify themselves as an equal force to be reckoned with within the legend of Trinity squash. They play Princeton Sunday, Feb. 17 at home while the men will be dueling in Cambridge, Mass. for the CSA Team Championships.
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