For the second consecutive week, the men's squash team played multiple matches in one weekend. Last week Tufts won against Denison before losing to Drexel and Bucknell, all on the same day. This time around they played against Vassar on Friday before heading to Connecticut on Saturday to play Colby and Connecticut College.
While morale was high after a win against Vassar, Colby proved to be too tough for Tufts to handle. Despite highly competitive individual performances, the Jumbos dropped the overall match against Colby, 6-3.
"It was a very good, competitive match [against Colby]. C.J [Smith] is a very good player and I had to push myself a lot to win that match. It really helped in terms of developing a more consistent game for the whole team," sophomore AdityaAdvani said. "Everyone played really well and I think it was a great learning experience."
After playing Colby in New Haven, the Jumbos got back in the team van and made their way to New London, where they played Connecticut College.
Against the Camels most of the matches were very close and all were competitive. At No. 1 singles Advani lost the first game 5-11 before roaring back to win the next two 11-6 and 11-4. In the fourth game Advani faltered and fell 10-12 before finding his rhythm again to win the last game 11-5.
"The match against Conn. [College] was okay," junior co-captain Elliot Kardon said. "Aditya [Advani] had a really nice comeback win and we were all in it for the most part, but overall they are stronger than us. And it was a long weekend of squash for us so it was overall a good match with very competitive individual matches. Overall we played well."
Junior co-captain Zachary Schweitzer was the only other Tufts' athlete to win against Connecticut College. Like Advani, Schweitzer also lost the opening game in his match. Schweitzer rebounded quickly to win the second game 11-5. The next two games were also split between the No. 2 singles players before Schweitzer squeaked out the match with a 12-10 fifth game win.
"Conn. [College] is a very good team," Advani said. "We had some competitive matches, however unfortunately we did not win. Everyone gave their 100% and played well so hopefully when we play them next we will do better."
Against Vassar the team was solid and played consistent squash. The Jumbos won 9-0, dominating in the No. 1 through No. 6 positions. No Brewer player was able to score more than 14 points across three games in any of the first six positions.
Whether through wins or team dinners, one of the primary goals of the team is to keep team morale high, which is why it was important for the Jumbos to do well in their first match of the weekend against lesser-ranked Vassar. A win in the first match gave the team the confidence necessary to put on good showings in the matches which followed. Last week's win against Dennison gave the team determination going into the rest of the matches.
"It was good to beat Vassar. It definitely boosts morale when you can go out and beat a team handily," junior Hugo Meggitt said. "We also were able to enjoy a home cooked meal on the way back from Vassar which was also good for morale."
The Jumbos also know that traveling and long weekends are hard, but it is part of every season.
"We are getting used to playing multiple matches in a weekend. It's part of the schedule and it happens many times every season. It's definitely hard on the body but it's just something you have to get used to," Meggitt said.
Next up for the team is a highly anticipated match against local rival, Boston College (BC). Earlier in the fall the Jumbos had some of their players studying abroad. Now, with a full lineup, the team believes they have what it takes to win against their tough rival.
"The Boston College match is our main focus going into this week," Meggitt said. "We think we have a good shot at beating them now that we have our full line up."
Tufts is currently ranked two spots below Boston College, with Denison claiming the spot in between the two. Last weekend, Tufts beat Denison decisively and the team believes it can do the same against BC.
"The BC match is pretty important for our rankings in the nationals. We are all going into this match with a very positive mindset and just focusing on playing our best that day," Advani said. "If we do that, I am sure that we will be able to do very well in this match and hopefully win and improve our overall ranking."
On Wednesday, when the Jumbos head off to play, they are anticipating a large crowd. The match could push Tufts past BC and back into the top 30 teams in the country.
"We might get a van to get fans there so it should be a good match with a really good atmosphere," Kardon said. We are looking forward to reclaiming the spot we think we should have which is why the BC match is the most important regular season match of for us. It should be good."
