STANFORD, Calif. – Hosting a home match for the first time since 2015, the fifth-ranked Stanford women's squash team fell to top-ranked Harvard on Thursday 9-0 at the Arrillaga Center for Sports & Recreation.
Playing in front of a large and supportive crowd, the Cardinal (3-2) couldn't hang with the deep and talented Crimson (5-0), who won their 17th CSA National Championship last year.
"We knew it would be tough," said Stanford head coach Mark Talbott. "Their two players at the top (Sabrina Sobhy and Gina Kennedy) are two of the best in college squash. We were hanging with them a little lower down, but they're going to be hard for anybody to beat this year."
Despite the outcome, it was a memorable experience for Talbott and his players, who spend most seasons playing on the East Coast.
"It was tremendous," he said. "The girls were so excited. It was so nice of their friends and our administration to come out. And then to stream the match – that's a first. It's definitely the biggest week we've ever had in the history of Stanford squash."
On Saturday, the Cardinal entertain sixth-ranked Yale (7-1) at noon. It will be first-ever visit for the Bulldogs, coached by Dave Talbott, Mark's older brother.
"It's really going to be fun," said Mark Talbott. "We've never beaten Yale, so it should be a close match. We lost 5-4 to them last year and they have another good team. It should be exciting."
Admission is free and the match will be streamed live on gostanford.com.
Results:
Sabrina Sobhy (H) def. Casey Wong (S), 11-6, 11-0, 11-6
Gina Kennedy (H) def. Chloe Chemtob (S), 11-2, 11-3, 11-1
Kayley Leonard (H) def. CC Ho (S), 11-8, 11-4, 13-11
Amelia Henley (H) def. Sarah Bell (S), 11-4, 11-5, 11-5
Alyssa Mehta (H) def. Tara Shannon (S), 11-7, 11-6, 11-5
Katie Tutrone (H) def. Lucy Rowe (S), 11-3, 11-3, 11-3
Sophie Mehta (H) def. Christie Huchro (S), 12-10, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6
Eleonore Evans (H) def. Anna Marie Manning (S), 11-7, 11-5, 11-3
Dileas MacGowan (H) def. Tatyanna Dadabbo (S), 11-5, 13-11, 12-14, 11-5