PRINCETON, N.J. - The Columbia women's squash team dropped its final match of the Kurtz Cup Championship as it was narrowly edged by George Washington, 5-4. The Lions conclude the season 12-6 overall in their first varsity season.
This was the second time this season that the two teams have met, as the Lions defeated the Colonials 6-3 in their second match of the year on November 20. Though Columbia took round one, this time it was George Washington that narrowly edged Columbia 5-4 in a tight battle.
Four first-years picked up individual wins for the Lions, including three in three-straight games. Monica Stone dominated Elizabeth Tapley at No. 3, defeating her 11-6, 11-4, 11-3. Skylar Dickey also easily handled her opponent, downing Lauren Mathieu 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 at No. 5. Annie Tickell and Tiffany Hingley battled hard at the No. 5 spot, and it was Tickell that prevailed, defeating Hingley 11-8, 11-9, 11-9.
After winning game one 11-8 at No. 8, Morgan Strauss dropped the second game 11-7 to Maya Nair, before coming back to win two straight 11-7 and 11-3 for the win.
Anne Cheng put up a good fight at No. 6 against Caroline Shumway. Cheng won game one 11-9, but dropped the next two 11-8 and 12-10. The senior came back to win game four 11-8, but was ultimately edged 11-8 in the decisive game five.
Columbia (12-6) will compete in the Individual National Championships on March 4-6 in Hanover, N.H.
George Washington 5, Columbia 4
1. Jacqueline Shea (GW) def. Liz Chu, 11-4, 11-6, 11-9
2. Kelly Barnes (GW) def. Katie Quan 11-9, 6-11, 12-10, 11-6
3. Monica Stone (C) def. Elizabeth Tapley, 11-6, 11-4, 11-3
4. Skylar Dickey (C) def. Lauren Mathieu 11-5, 11-7, 11-6
5. Annie Tickell (C) def. Tiffany Hingley 11-8, 11-9, 11-9
6. Caroline Shumway (GW) def. Anne Cheng, 9-11, 11-8, 12-10,
8-11, 11-8
7. Eliza Ehflich (GW) def. Jenny Schroder, 12-10, 11-9, 11-5
8. Morgan Strauss (C) def. Maya Nair, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3
9. KyungMin Kim (GW) def. Alexa Mouta, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8
10. Rebecca Imrich (GW) def. Kate Hansen 8-11, 9-11, 11-8,
11-4, 11-5