MEDFORD, MA (November 17, 2022) – Head coach Joseph Raho and the Tufts University women's squash squad come into this season with a different feel, a different expectation and a different mindset after one of the best seasons in program history in 2021-22.
The Jumbos, coming off a season where the squad was voted as the Most Improved Team Award by College Squash Association and its coaches, rocketed up the rankings last year finishing No. 12 in the country at season's end. Raho was named as the conference Coach of the Year, while also posting three players on the All-NESCAC squads.
The Jumbos beat rivals Williams during the regular season and then again in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Championships to secure both a berth in the NESCAC Final and their highest conference finish in program history. Two weeks later, Tufts outlasted Williams a third time in the quarterfinals of Kurtz Cup (B Division) play to clinch a semifinal berth and their best national finish in at least 25 years.
It would be easy for the team to rest on its laurels coming into this season, but Raho was quick to note that the success has only fueled the team to continue its upward trajectory. "I think we're a very small group and we're coming off a historic season," said Raho. "We jumped seven spots in the rankings last year from No. 19 to No. 12 but it's big expectations for us."
Despite the expectations, Raho also did point out that his team will be smaller but still stocked full of talent and athleticism which should lend itself to success throughout the season. "Our group is very small, so we're relying on each woman to pull their weight to have another great season, but the pieces are there for us to have another incredible year."
The small group lends itself to a competitive atmosphere for spots in the ladder, from the top to the bottom and Raho has already seen that the level through the lineup is as strong as well at Tufts. "We have a first-year Vharsha Dinesh who's fighting for the top spot; there's a massive push at 3-7 as well with a lot of players. There's also a big fight towards No. 9 so it's going to be exciting to see how that shakes out."
Raho also mentioned how important that competitiveness is because of how it translates to matches, especially with such a strong schedule lined up this season. "It is important to me that the squash culture is one of hard work, intensity, competitiveness and passion. It's something that I've really try to hammer in is that you come to practice you compete with your teammates, you play as hard as you can in challenge matches, and then you walk off court and you're hopefully best friends with person."
The squad will look to those leaders that have been around for a few years during the ascent for the team, and Raho is excited about the group that they have back that have shown to be leaders for the squad thus far.
"We have one senior,
Isa Schneider, very passionate about the game, she's been doing a great job," said Raho. "We also have two junior captains,
Sanjana Vissapragada and
Caroline Chin, who lead by action, lead by work ethic and how they set an example about how we train, how we compete in matches, how we hold ourselves. They've shown a right mindset and character which I'm proud of."
Again, with the expectations, Raho mentioned that the expectations can be tough to shoulder but the mindset with this group has welcomed them and is motivated to show that last year's success was preview of what's to come every season for the Jumbos.
"You have to keep showing success in order to prove that you're worthy of those rankings," said Raho. "That requires discipline and doing the work everyday because everyone else is trying to catch you. You have to continue to push yourself, and the staff and captains have done a great job to pushing ourselves to get better every day."
Below is a look at the ladder.
The team returns three players from the All-NESCAC squads, led by now sophomore
Riddhi Joshi, who sat atop the ladder for most of the season in 2021-22. Joshi won some big matches last season for the Jumbos and returns ready for another big season.
Caroline Chin played mostly at No. 2 last year and was also named as an All-NESCAC performer as a sophomore. Chin has taken on a role as a leader this year, and right now has been battling for a spot in the top three again in 2022-23.
The coaching staff is excited about newcomer Vharsha Dinesh, who they feel can make an immediate impact in the top half of the lineup including fighting for spots in the top three coming into the season.
Isa Schneider played in the middle of the lineup last year as a junior, and All-NESCAC returner
Aleezah Burhan also looks strong headed into this season.
Sophomore
Nieve Monderer has looked strong so far this winter in preseason and is looking to make an impact as she played in the middle of the lineup but missed some time towards the end of the season.
Sanjana Vissapragada got as high as No. 3 in the lineup last year, as she finished the season in the last match of the season at that spot. A leader on the court and off, Vissapragada will be another important piece in 2022-23.
Juniors
Ellyn Xu,
Ami Sao and
Kate Chang, along with newcomer Mafi Pinot will battle it out for the final three spot in the lineup this year but all are talented players who will contribute during the seasons.
--JUMBOS--
