CLINTON, NY — The #7 Amherst College women's squash team rolled past #18 Colby, 8–1, on Saturday at Hamilton College's Little Squash Center to advance to the NESCAC semifinals. Building on a 7–2 win over the Mules back on January 21, the Mammoths delivered an even stronger performance this time, controlling play across the ladder to improve their overall record to 15–1 and extend their win streak to 10 matches. Now the Mammoths will get ready for a challenge on Sunday as they will face #11 Tufts University Jumbos. Earlier in the season, Amherst prevailed over the Jumbos 5–4.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
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At the top of the ladder, Quincy Cline achieved a hard-fought 3–1 victory over Laavanya Kugan at #1 singles (11–7, 11–9, 7–11, 12–10) in 42 minutes. Earlier in the season, Cline fell to Kugan 1–3.
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The Mammoths' most efficient performances came at the bottom of the lineup, where first-year Ella Miller and sophomore Brigid Brandon turned in the fastest wins of the day. At #9, Miller swept Pepper Claytor 3–0 (11–0, 11–3, 11–3) in just 13 minutes, and only losing 6 points, while at #8, Brandon defeated Virginia McWhorter 3–0 (11–1, 11–6, 11–5) in 13 minutes.
RESULTS (8–1, W):
Quincy Cline (A) def. Laavanya Kugan (C), 3–1 (11–7, 11–9, 7–11, 12–10)
Nathalie Sim (C) def. Anastasiia Krykun (A), 3–2 (11–3, 7–11, 7–11, 11–6, 11–7)
Kanzy Elkaliuoby (A) def. Abhisheka David (C), 3–1 (11–5, 11–9, 10–12, 11–4)
Kristen Daniel (A) def. Margaret "Maggie" Motch (C), 3–0 (11–5, 11–8, 11–4)
Yana Sharma (A) def. Reshika Rajarathinam (C), 3–0 (11–8, 11–7, 11–3)
Fionnoula Brandon (A) def. Victoria "Tori" Thill (C), 3–0 (11–1, 11–8, 11–5)
Katherine Grissom (A) def. Haley Coon (C), 3–0 (11–9, 11–6, 11–3)
Brigid Brandon (A) def. Virginia McWhorter (C), 3–0 (11–1, 11–6, 11–5)
Ella Miller (A) def. Pepper Claytor (C), 3–0 (11–0, 11–3, 11–3)
UP NEXT
With the win, Amherst improves to 15–1 overall, and will play in the NESCAC semifinals for a shot at the title. The Mammoths face Tufts next on Sunday, February 15 at 9:00 AM at Hamilton, looking to carry their 10-match win streak and solidify their high national ranking.
