After entering its fifth match of the early season still lacking its full starting lineup, the women's squash team lost 9-0 at Amherst on Thursday, dropping its record to 0-5 going into winter break.
"Our whole semester has been somewhat jumbled because of injuries," assistant coach Kelsey Engman said. "This was the closest we've come to a full team, and we probably were not mentally prepared enough for the match. It was close last year, but [Amherst] came out more prepared and they were better. They went after it."
The Jumbos were short one player, forcing them to concede the ninth slot on the ladder and bumping several other players up one spot, a problem they've experienced all semester as the team has defaulted at least one match in all five of its contests this year. At the top of the lineup, senior tri-captain Victoria Barba continued her solid play, remaining competitive throughout her match and taking at least two points in each set.
Sophomore Valerie Koo also put forth a notably strong effort at No. 2, winning a point in each set against a tough opponent. Freshman Alix Michael returned from an injury to make her collegiate debut at the No. 5 spot, losing her first set by the slim margin of 10-8 before dropping the next two 9-1.
At No. 3, senior tri-captain Simone Grant battled through an illness to take four points from her opponent in the third set, setting a spirited example for her coaches and teammates.
"Simone gave a really great effort," Engman said. "She was sick, and considering that, she played so well. It was inspirational to watch. She was running down balls all over the court."
"She did a great job bringing up team morale," added senior tri-captain Jessica Herrmann, who was sidelined due to an injury. "This whole season she's had to play at a spot higher than she's used to because of the injuries and [junior] Stef [Marx] being abroad, which is not an easy situation. But she's handled it incredibly well, and I've been really impressed with how she's fought."
The team is looking to use its time off during the break as a chance to work on fitness. In addition, the Jumbos will be traveling down to the Cayman Islands for a week of training in early January.
"It's tough because we're worried about some of the girls not having access to squash courts in order to keep active," Engman said. "But the free time should actually allow us to come back in better shape than we are now. I've set up a competition over who can work out the most and keep in the best shape. The players are going to email me each week with an update on what they've been doing, and I'm going to convert that to points."
The squad also eagerly anticipates the return of two key players from last year -- Herrmann and Marx -- as well as the debut of first-year Mercedes Barba. Marx, who represented Tufts at the College Squash Association Individuals last year, is returning from studying abroad. Herrmann and Barba are both out with injuries.
"It will be great having Stef back," Engman said. "She's a great player and a really strong, positive force on the team. She'll be joining us on the Cayman trip and she's an inspiration for the rest of the players because she's such a fighter and is tenacious out there.
"A few other teams are going to be in the Caymans the same week as us," she continued. "Hamilton, George Washington and the women from Brown will be there, so we may get a chance to play."
After five difficult matches, the Jumbos are hopeful about improving once the spring portion of the season kicks off in January, as they turn the page from one semester to the next.
"Our main focus this season has really been to stay positive about our game," Engman said. "We've had some tough matches against a few of the top teams in the country, and we're trying to be realistic and use it as a learning experience to strive to get better.
"On the court, we could be more focused and a bit tougher," she continued. "We've emphasized hitting the ball deeper in the court in order to put our opponents more on the defensive."
Despite the early-season results, the Jumbos' goals for the rest of the season remain the same.
"We're still sticking with our goal of making the B division at Nationals," Herrmann said. "It's going to be tough, but we'll be a much stronger team next semester with Stef and other people returning. We're all excited and enthusiastic about the rest of the season."
