In their first match of the 2006-2007 season, the Exeter Girls Varsity Squash Team struggled to hold their own against Choate Rosemary Hall. In the end, Exeter lost 0-7, with the match at spot 5 a default. Leah Stork (1), Libby Pei (2), Liani Balasuriya (3), Kavitha Mannava (4), and Suzanne Michalak (6) all lost 0-3. Ellis Kim (7) had a close five game match, but was unable to pull it out and lost 2-3, losing in the final point of the fifth game in a very competitive match. Michelle Ha (5) pulled her quad in the first game of her match and was thus forced to default. The team took the match as a good match experience and is currently training hard to better prepare for the upcoming challenges. Since then, two rounds of challenge matches have rearranged the ladder to Leah Stork (1), Liani Balasuriya (2), Libby Pei (3), Kavitha Mannava (4), Michelle Ha (5), Ellis Kim (6), and Suzanne Michalak (7). Submitted by Leah Stork ‘07
The Girls Squash Team faced St. George's School, a formidable opponent, in their second match of the season. Exeter fought hard, but could not make up for the experience of the St. George's team. Kirk Randall, the coach, noted several fundamentals that the Exeter Girls Team lacked, such as balance, preparation and accuracy, and has been pushing the girls to focus on the basics. The current ladder is Leah Stork ('08), Liani Balasuriya ('07), Kavitha Mannava ('07), Libby Pei ('09), Michelle Ha ('08), Ellis Kim ('07), and Suzanne Michalak ('07). --Submitted by Leah Stork '08
This Saturday, the Girls Varsity Squash Team decisively beat both the Taft School (5-2) and Loomis Chaffee (7-0) in a double header. All of the girls beat their Loomis opponents 3-0 in games. Both lower Libby Pei (4) and upper, Michelle Ha (5) beat their opponents 9-0, 9-0, 9-0, a feat known as "golden or triple bageling." Taft's Squash Team recruited two new players this year, so, although they graduated five seniors last season, this match was closer than the match against Loomis. Lower Libby Pei (4), upper Michelle Ha (5), and senior Suzanne Michalak (7) all dominated their matches 3-0. Seniors Kavitha Mannava (3) and Ellis Kim (6) both faced close opponents but pulled through in the end to win 3-1. Upper Leah Stork (1) and senior Liani Balasuriya (2) both lost tough matches 0-3. After losing badly to the strong teams of Choate Rosemary Hall and St. George's School, these two wins provided a much needed morale boost for the Exeter Girls Varsity Squash Team. In preparation for next Saturday's match against Phillips Andover Academy, the team will focus on endurance and strength training this week, as well as continuing to improve their fundamental skills. --Submitted by Leah Stork '08
