CANTON, N.Y. (Feb. 8) — The Denison University men's squash team opened the Liberty League Championship with a 1-1 split on the first day of competition. The Big Red secured a thrilling victory over Hobart College in the morning before falling to the University of Rochester in the afternoon. Denison will now compete for third place against Haverford College tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
In the opening match against Hobart, Denison showcased resilience and depth throughout the lineup, earning a hard-fought 6-3 win. Juan Felipe Hernandez set the tone at the top of the ladder with a commanding 3-0 victory over Toby Clegg-Petri (11-8, 11-7, 14-12) in a long 44-minute battle. Lucas Piller delivered the clinching win for the Big Red, defeating Roberto Vega 3-1 (11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 12-10) after a back-and-forth contest.
Other key victories came from Charlie Fenwick IV, who rallied from behind to secure a five-game win over Javier De La Vega (10-12, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3), and Alex DeLuca, who outlasted Peter Vorbach 3-1 (12-10, 11-5, 6-11, 11-3). Gus Nelson dominated at No. 7 with a 3-0 sweep of Tytus Felbor (11-4, 11-7, 12-10), while Jackson Bragman added a strong 3-1 win against John Solano (11-1, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5). Wylly Molten closed out the match with a 3-0 victory over Mason Graham (11-4, 11-2, 11-6), sealing an impressive team performance.
In the second match of the day against the University of Rochester, Denison faced a formidable opponent and fell 8-1. Despite the loss, Hernandez remained unbeaten on the day, securing a 3-0 win over Omar Zakaria (12-10, 11-5, 11-3). Owen Mullaly defeated Sam Knoll 3-0 to claim Denison's second win of the match with scores of 11-1, 11-6, 11-1.
Denison will look to bounce back tomorrow as they face Haverford College in the third-place match. With strong performances from Hernandez, Piller, and others, the Big Red are poised to finish the tournament on a high note.
Denison 7, Hobart 2
1 – Juan Felipe Hernandez def. Toby Clegg-Petri 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 14-12)
2 – Joey Raskin Lantos def. Tarun Mammen 3-1 (11-6, 10-12, 11-3, 11-4)
3 – Lucas Piller def. Roberto Vega 3-1 (11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 12-10)
4 – Charlie Fenwick IV def. Javier De La Vega 3-2 (10-12, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3)
5 – Matthew Aldana def. Ross Falcon 3-1 (5-11, 11-7, 11-3, 13-11)
6 – Alex DeLuca def. Peter Vorbach 3-1 (12-10, 11-5, 6-11, 11-3)
7 – Gus Nelson def. Tytus Felbor 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 12-10)
8 – Jackson Bragman def. John Solano 3-1 (11-1, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5)
9 – Wylly Molten def. Mason Graham 3-0 (11-4, 11-2, 11-6)
Denison 2, Rochester 7
1 – Juan Felipe Hernandez def. Omar Zakaria 3-0 (12-10, 11-5, 11-3)
2 – Dhirren Rajarathinam def. Tarun Mammen 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-5)
3 – Tom Whiteley def. Lucas Piller 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-0)
4 – Arnav Mandhana def. Charlie Fenwick IV 3-1 (11-5, 11-6, 3-11, 11-7)
5 – Vandrick Inman-Benavente def. Alex DeLuca 3-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-9)
6 – Nicholas Gill def. Gus Nelson 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-4)
7 – Preston Wu def. Wylly Molten 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-6)
8 – Karim Moataz def. Rayan Dar 3-0 (11-1, 11-6, 11-0)
9 – Owen Mullaly def. Sam Knoll 3-0 (11-1, 11-6, 11-1)
