NEW HAVEN, CT – It was an outstanding day of action on Saturday as the Vassar College women's squash team opened action at the 2020 CSA Team National Championships. Competing in the Chaffee Cup "E Division", the Brewers played at the Hopkins School for their Saturday matches, which saw them defeat Fordham (9-0) and Boston University (9-0) to advance to the E Division Championship on Sunday morning.
With the outstanding victories on Saturday, the Brewers – who are the #1 seed in the E draw - move to 10-15 overall on the season. Their championship match on Sunday will be played at Yale University on Court 1 against second-seeded Northeastern University at 8:30am. This marks the second straight finals appearance for the Brewers, who won the Chaffee Cup "E Division" last season with a 7-2 victory over Bowdoin College.
Vassar, which earned a bye in Friday's first round, took to the court against Fordham in the quarterfinals, earning the solid sweep. Sophomore
Claire Coss won from the top of the ladder, besting Elizaveta Gracheva by a 3-0 (11-1, 11-3, 11-4) margin. Next up was senior
Sydney Nemphos, who powered her way to a 3-0 (11-3, 11-0, 11-4) win against Grace Davidson from two.
At three, sophomore
Nicole Pihlstrom was the victor, earning a 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-5) win against Katie Popp, while from four, senior
Samantha Henderson captured the 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-6) win against Katherine Coleman.
From five, junior
Amanda Watson bested Malloy McGreevy, 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-1), while junior
Isabel Bronson won from six with a 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-6) decision over Caroline Westdyk. Seven saw rookie
Odie Berkson power her way to a 3-0 (11-3, 11-3, 11-4) win over Olivia Distefano, while at eight, sophomore
Lucie Bisbee earned the 3-0 (11-2, 11-8, 13-11) victory against Mackenzie Allen.
Sophomore
Caitlin Lewis wrapped up the match scoring at nine as she bested Gabriella Amaturo, 3-0 (11-2, 11-2, 11-5).
In the Semifinals against Boston University, Coss was once again the victor from one with a 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-4) win over Normandie Essig. Nemphos moved to 2-0 on her day as well, besting Rose Zhao, 3-0 (11-3, 11-4, 11-6) from two.
Pihlstrom earned a 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-4) win against Arabella Valcourt at three, while Henderson picked up the 3-0 (11-1, 11-5, 11-4) win over Jackie Loring at four. Five saw Watson grab a 3-0 (11-4, 11-0, 11-6) win against Meghana Patnana, while Bronson was a 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-6) winner over Gaby Kuntz.
At seven, junior
Alexa Elias posted a 3-0 (11-2, 11-6, 11-6) win over Elan Aiache Reynaud, while at eight, Berkson was a 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-2) winner over Chloe Garton.
The last match of the day was a battle as Bisbee squared off against Manasvita Maddi at nine. Down two games in the match, Bisbee battled back to win three and four and tie the match at 2-all. In the fifth game, she was down 10-5 and once again powered her way back in, picking up the victory and the 3-2 (10-12, 2-11, 11-9, 11-9, 13-11) match victory with an outstanding effort.
