MEDFORD, MA (November 17, 2023) -- The Tufts University women's squash team comes into the 2023-24 season with continued expectations after finishing with 13 wins last year while bring named as the 2022 College Squash Association Most Improved Team. The team has been on an upward trajectory, having played in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) title match the last two years.
The expectations and goals for this year continue to get bigger and bigger with the continued improvement, as the Jumbos are ranked No. 12 in the country coming into the season. There is only one school in the NESCAC ranked above them, while the Jumbos look to break into the Top 10 this season.
"The women's team has accomplished a lot over the last few years, finishing in the NESCAC Championship the last two years and we only graduated one senior," said head coach Joseph Raho. "We have an experienced group that knows what it takes, know what it means and what is required but every year you have to prove yourself."
The goal of being in the top 10 at the end of the year seems attainable, especially when looking at a lineup that brings back nine of the top 10 players from last year's squad that went 13-7. The Jumbos return their top six players from last year's group, and also bring in four first-year players as well as returning a sophomore that missed all of last year's team.
"This group knows what is required to get these tough wins," said Raho. "This team has a lot of wins, they're talented and experienced and know what it takes. We have some newcomers that will be counted on, and they'll figure it out quick."
New this year to the team is that they have been working with a sports psychologist from Boston University, and Raho mentioned how that has helped the team in their mental approach. "I feel like our mental game has gotten better, and also the overall vibe on the squad is great. The women all get along well, they're having fun and there is a ton of positivity. It's a very united group, we're bigger, there's power in numbers."
The improved depth will allow the squad to rest players and stay healthier this year, as the Jumbos have 13 players on the roster. Of the nine returners, that group picked up 90 of the team's 109 wins from a year ago. The experience is certainly there for the Jumbos, so now it's on the development and grit of this squad to showcase their talent.
"The cool thing is that we have two seniors that were captains last year too, and they have encouraged this mentality of being a fighter. I'm a big believer of toughness," said Raho. "Our leaders want to be on court and setting the tone. They know what I want and they run down a ton of shots, and our team is there to compete. We have a ton of fighters on the team, we don't go away."
Returning after playing every single match as a first-year No. 1 is
Vharsha Dinesh. The talented sophomore struggled to adjust to the top position and collegiate game at first, but Dinesh came on strong at the end of the year picking up eight victories for the squad. Look for her to slot back into the top of the ladder in 2023-24.
Right behind her is now junior
Riddhi Joshi, who finished her sophomore season with 10 wins, all at the No. 2 spot. Joshi is athletic and gets to a ton of shots not many others can, and her experience at the top of the lineup will be key this season.
Senior
Caroline Chin was stout at the No. 3 position for the Jumbos, going 9-5 at that spot last year while tallying 12 wins overall. Junior
Aleezah Burhan is another athletic, smart player that finished her sophomore campaign 9-2 at the No. 5 position. Look for her to continue to play right in the heart of the lineup in her third season for Tufts.
Fellow junior
Nieve Monderer played at the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 spots as a sophomore, and picked up 12 wins while finishing the season with wins in seven of her final 10 matches. Monderer has played a ton of important matches and knows what it takes to pick up clutch points in big moments.
Senior
Sanjana Vissapragada was stellar as a junior, leading the squad with 15 victories with all but one coming at the No. 6 position. Vissapragada is a steady, strong shot maker who is mentally tough and makes it difficult on opposition.
Classmate
Ellyn Xu settled into a strong role at the No. 8 position last year, going 9-5 at No. 8 and 14-6 overall as a junior. Xu will likely start the season at the No. 8 spot again as a senior, and her talent there will be a huge asset. Senior
Kate Chang was massive in 2022-23 for the Jumbos, as she came up clutch late in the year going 5-1 at the No. 9 spot when asked to step into the lineup.
Sophomore
Mafi Pinot is back this year after dealing with injuries as a first-year, and she will be playing her first season with a talented group for four first-years. Coming into the season,
Maria Arsenieva looks slotted into the middle of the lineup right away, helping replace the contributions from 2023 senior
Isa Schneider.
First-year
Chloe Bergam could plug into the bottom of the lineup as well early in the year, and
Sonya Bajaj and
Sora Karanja each are talented and possess potential to help the squad throughout the year.
The Jumbos will get their season going Saturday, November 18 at noon at home, followed by a trip to No. 2 Trinity College Sunday afternoon. It will be a challenge, but one that head coach Joseph Raho is looking forward to.
"I think that people always say that pressure is a privilege," said Raho. "I think now there's expectation, you're supposed to win but you have have to manage that. It's important to remember that we're highly ranked because we've done well and proved it before. But I think our team is ready to meet that expectation this season. I'm excited."
--JUMBOS--
