CANTON, N.Y. (February 11, 2024) – The No. 28-ranked and third-seeded Denison University women's squash team held serve to finish in third place at the Liberty League Championship as the Big Red defeated No. 29-ranked and fourth-seeded Haverford College by a score of 9-0 in the third-place match on Sunday morning.
Denison has now finished in third place at the Liberty League Championship in each of its first two seasons competing in the event. Last year, the Big Red finished the championship with a combined record of 2-2 during what was a five-team round-robin.
This year, the addition of Haverford and Mount Holyoke has expanded the Liberty League Championship to seven teams, bringing forth a seeded tournament bracket where the top seed in each bracket receives a bye into the semifinals.
Sunday also marked the first matchup between Denison and Haverford since November 13, 2021, when the Fords pulled out a close 5-4 victory over the Big Red during what was Denison's first full season of varsity competition. This year, Haverford is embarking upon its inaugural season of participation in the Liberty League Championship.
Denison won eight of its nine matches against Haverford by a score of 3-0, including sweeps at each of the top-six seeds.
Esme Adelman improved to 3-0 on the weekend with a 11-5, 11-5, 11-9 win over Catherine Fortin at the No. 2 seed.
Antoinette Ramsey needed extra scoring in her second set to defeat Ariana Solecki 11-8, 14-12, 11-6 at the top seed, and
Kate Manderlink earned a 11-6, 11-9, 11-4 victory over Emi Krishnamurthy at the No. 3 seed.
Lane Harding limited Zoe Liu to just 10 points in a 11-2, 11-4, 11-4 win at the No. 4 seed;
Virginia Lawrence kept Maya Johnson-Fraidin to just 12 points in a 11-2, 11-4, 11-6 win at the No. 5 seed; and
Charlotte Sigg held Matilda Chartener to 14 points in her 11-4, 11-5, 11-5 win at the No. 6 seed.
Hannah Best needed an extra set to defeat Amy Saxon 3-1 (11-5, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6) at the No. 7 seed.
Chloe Sigg earned a 12-10 win in her first set before limiting Sarah Kotapka to just three points the rest of the way in her 3-0 (12-10, 11-2, 11-1) win at the No. 8 seed.
Lastly,
Golda Mehl picked up the win with a well-deserved 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-8) victory over Nayera Hasan at the No. 9 seed.
With a current record of 7-10, the Big Red will now prep for the start of the College Squash Association National Championships, scheduled for February 16 through February 18 at the Arlen Specter USA Squash Center in Philadelphia's University City district. More information about the event, including bracketing and live streaming details, is expected to be announced early next week following the conclusion of conference tournament action.
Denison 9, Haverford 0:
1S:
Antoinette Ramsey def. Ariana Solecki 3-0 (11-8, 14-12, 11-6)
2S:
Esme Adelman def. Catherine Fortin 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-9)
3S:
Kate Manderlink def. Emi Krishnamurthy 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-4)
4S:
Lane Harding def. Zoe Liu 3-0 (11-2, 11-4, 11-4)
5S:
Virginia Lawrence def. Maya Johnson-Fraidin 3-0 (11-2, 11-4, 11-6)
6S:
Charlotte Sigg def. Matilda Chartener 3-0 (11-4, 11-5, 11-5)
7S:
Hannah Best def. Amy Saxon 3-1 (11-5, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6)
8S:
Chloe Sigg def. Sarah Kotapka 3-0 (12-10, 11-2, 11-1)
9S:
Golda Mehl def. Nayera Hasan 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-8)
