MEDFORD, MA (February 9, 2024) -- The Tufts University women's squash team, currently ranked No. 12 in the latest College Squash Association rankings, will look to get back to the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Tournament finals this weekend. The Jumbos (10-5) have appeared in the title match for the previous two seasons, and will look to get back there as they charge for their first-ever NESCAC title.
Game Details
2024 NESCAC Tournament Homepage
Opponent: vs. No. 7 Bates College (6-9)
Date: Saturday, February 10, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Amherst, MA - Davenport Squash Courts
Live Coverage:
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LIVE VIDEO
Against Bates This Season
The Jumbos knocked off Bates in Medford last weekend, as Tufts topped the Bobcats 6-3 inside Tufts Squash Center. The match was the final NESCAC match of the season for the Jumbos, and marked third win in as many outings for Tufts. Since 2010, Tufts is 5-13 against Bates but has won the last three match-ups. In fact, all five of Tufts wins in the series since 2010 have come since the 2018-19 season.
Scouting The Jumbos
Tufts comes into the match ready to make another run in the tournament, as its lineup looks healthy and experienced. Tufts No. 1 player
Vharsha Dinesh has picked up seven victories on the season at the top position, while now No. 2 and first-year
Maria Arsenieva has played everywhere from No. 1 to No. 5 this season. Junior
Riddhi Joshi has had a strong season, going 8-6 overall, which includes an unblemished mark at the No. 3 position.
Caroline Chin has posted seven victories on the campaign, going 2-3 at the No. 4 spot, while junior
Aleezah Burhan is an even 7-7 after winning six matches at the No. 4 and No. 5 spots. Junior
Nieve Monderer has played very well of late, winning her last three while tying for the team lead with nine victories while only falling four times in 2023-24.
Sanjana Vissapragada is 9-6 on the campaign, playing in all 15 matches this season, while going an even 5-5 at the No. 7 spot.
At No. 8, captain
Ellyn Xu has posted a 6-4 mark at that position while tallying a 9-5 record overall. First-year
Sora Karanja will also draw into the lineup this weekend as the No. 9 spot, and will play just her third match of the season. As insurance, Tufts also has
Chloe Bergam and her 7-3 mark this season at the No. 10 spot while
Mafi Pinot also was a perfect 4-0 on the season.
As a team, Tufts has won 60.7 percent of its matches while winning an outstanding 86.7 percent of matches at the No. 9 position. Last season, Tufts topped Colby 9-0 in the quarterfinals before besting Williams 6-3 in the semifinals to meet Trinity College in the finals. The Bantams knocked off Tufts 9-0 in the finals, as Trinity has won the NESCAC title all 16 years it has been contested.
A Look At the Bobcats
Bates College went 3-3 down the stretch of the season, while two of its losses were 5-4 losses to Wesleyan University and Bowdoin College. The Bobcats got swept just twice all season. showing strength all the way through the lineup.
Andy Martagon has been the top player for the Bates this season, playing at the top position, while Navya Gupta has held down the No. 2 position for the Bobcats. Aasya Patel rounds out the top three of the lineup for Bates, while Sumairaa Suleman, Tia Billamoria, Grace Flaherty, Angelina Amastal, Daina Velez and Hollis Hale round out the lineup for the Bobcats. Records weren't available for the players this season, but Martagon, Patel and Flaherty picked up wins in the first meeting between Tufts and Bates.
Rest of the Tournament
Trinity College comes into the Tournament ranked No. 1 in the nation, and is the only undefeated team in the country heading into the postseason. Trinity will take on No. 8 seed Wesleyan, while No. 5 Williams and No. 4 Amherst College will battle in the opening match of the day. No. 6 Bowdoin and No. 3 Middlebury will play just before the Jumbos match at Noon.
Semifinal action will be Sunday at 9:00 a.m. while the finals will be played at 4:00 p.m. at Amherst College.
--JUMBOS--
