NEW HAVEN, CT (February 27, 2010) – Trailing 4-1, the Vassar College women's squash team needed to win its final four matches against Franklin & Marshall College on Saturday in the semifinal match of the Walker Division of the College Squash Association (CSA) Team Championships at Yale University. The Brewers did just that, pulling out a thrilling 5-4 comeback victory to advance to the title match against George Washington University on Sunday.
The Brewers, now 9-6, will look to reclaim the Walker Cup – which they last won in 2008 – against GWU at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Vassar pulled out the impressive comeback without senior No. 3
Caitlin Ly who was unable to play on Saturday. With seven players moved up a spot, the Brewers managed to get wins at the top five positions, while Franklin & Marshall won the bottom four matches.
Freshman
Libby Pei, moving from No. 4 to Ly's No. 3 spot, shook off her quarterfinal defeat to Georgetown University on Friday, to earn Vassar's first victory in a five-game thriller. With low powerful shots and great serve returns, Pei defeated Katie Barnes 13-11,10-12,11-8,9-11,11-6.
However, Franklin & Marshall won at Nos. 6-9, taking a 4-1 lead and needing to win just one of the final four matches to clinch the victory. The Brewers had different plans though, as junior No. 2
Kristine Bell picked up a strong 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-8) victory while sophomore
Meg Taylor, playing up a spot at No. 5, won her ninth consecutive match with a sweep of her own, 12-10, 11-4, 11-6.
With the score 4-3, senior No. 4
Hope Blinkoff and senior No. 1
Emilie Kraft took the court knowing they had to win if the team was to advance to the final tomorrow. The seniors proved their mettle, as Blinkoff won 3-0 (11-5,11-8,12-10) and Kraft avenged an early season loss to Morgan Smith with a 3-1 (11-5, 11-7, 2-11, 11-2) victory, playing an incredibly skilled and composed match in the clutch situation. Kraft took the pace out of her opponent's game and mixed in drop shots that teased and stretched Smith before the occasional hard winner took the point.
Vassar 5, Franklin & Marshall 4
1.
Emilie Kraft (VC) def. Morgan Smith (FM), 3-1 (11-5,11-7,2-11,11-2)
2.
Kristine Bell (VC) def. Chelsea Ross (FM), 3-0 (11-9,11-6,11-8)
3.
Libby Pei (VC) def. Katie Barnes (FM), 3-2 (13-11,10-12,11-8,9-11,11-6)
4.
Hope Blinkoff (VC) def. Sheena Suckoo (FM), 3-0 (11-5,11-8,12-10)
5.
Meg Taylor (VC) def. Tanya Arora (FM), 3-0 (12-10,11-4,11-6)
6. Courtney Mulligan (FM) def.
Alexa Lichtenstein (VC), 3-2 (13-15,11-6,5-11,12-10,11-4)
7. Gabrielle Robinson-Harris (FM) def .
Olivia Mak (VC), 3-2 (11-0,9-11,8-11,11-2,11-4)
8. Stephanie Tzarnas (FM) def.
Nina Punukollu (VC), 3-0 (11-8,11-8,11-8)
9. Dana Russo (FM) def.
Jill Levine (VC), 3-0 (11-8,11-8,11-6)
