STANFORD, Calif. – The women’s squash team finished with a 12-6 record in 2015-16, highlighted by a 5-4 victory against second-ranked Trinity, the program’s first-ever win against a top three opponent.
Ranked as high as fourth, the road-warriors traveled east for every match, starting with a challenging three-day, seven opponent trip in November, that saw Stanford lose to Harvard, then win six-straight. The Cardinal saved its best for last, as freshman Anna Marie Manning captured the deciding point in the fifth and final game at No. 5 singles to secure the win against Trinity.
“Extremely proud,” said head coach Mark Talbott. “All of our girls played extremely well.”
In January, the Cardinal played weekend matches in Philadelphia against Pennsylvania and in New York against Columbia, splitting the pair. Stanford was blanked 9-0 by Penn, but rebounded for a 7-2 win at Columbia.
Later that month, the team embarked on its final regular-season trek, a three-day, six-match marathon in the Yale Round Robin. The Cardinal scored victories against Dartmouth, Cornell – the first in five years, Williams and Drexel to finish 4-2.
Sophomore Tatyanna Dadabbo went 6-0 at No. 7 singles, while freshman Tara Shannon and sophomore Christie Huchro complied 5-1 marks at No. 4 and No. 6, respectively.
“Nobody plays matches on a weekend like we do,” Talbott said.
Stanford closed out the season in the CSA National Championships in New Haven, Connecticut hosted by Yale in February. Junior CC Ho won her flight in the B Draw to earn second team All-American honors.
Ho wound up the campaign ranked 17-20 in the individual rankings, and was one of four Cardinal players to reach the quarter or semifinals at the National Championships. They included sophomore Sarah Bell, senior Maddie Gill and Shannon.
Of the top 10 players, all but Gill return next year, along with a strong recruiting class.
“I’m very excited about the future,” said Talbott, whose team finished No. 6 in the final rankings.
At least two home matches will be played against Yale and Penn.