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No. 14 men’s and No. 11 women’s squash leave Annapolis victorious against Williams College

The women defeat the Ephs 9-0 in convincing fashion, while the men win 5-4 in a nail-biter

<p>Junior Julia Thompson recorded a win in her first match of the season against Williams.</p>

Junior Julia Thompson recorded a win in her first match of the season against Williams.

After a winter hiatus, Virginia squash headed to Annapolis, Md., this past weekend for matches against Williams College and Dickinson College. However, due to a winter storm, the matches against Dickinson College were canceled and will not be rescheduled. 

No. 14 Virginia men’s squash (6-4) headed into its match with momentum, coming off strong victories against Cornell and NYU before winter break. Similarly, No. 19 Williams College (8-7) came into the match having won four of their last five, taking down top-20 squads Bates College and Franklin and Marshall College. 

The Cavaliers and Ephs exchanged victories from the No. 9 to the No. 2 spot and entered the final match — between respective number ones Virginia freshman Patrick McElroy and Williams Senior John Fitzgerald — tied 4-4. 

McElroy got off to a hot start, winning the first two sets, only needing one of the subsequent three to seal the match for Virginia. However, Fitzgerald, by way of 11-9 and 11-4 victories, brought the match to a decisive fifth set. Nonetheless, McElroy, the 2016 U.S. Under-17 National Champion, was able to pull away — winning the final set 11-8 and the match for the Cavaliers. 

No. 11 Virginia women’s squash (7-5), like their male counterparts, entered Annapolis with wins against Cornell and NYU. No. 15 Williams College (10-7) came to Maryland with five straight wins, four of which came against top 25 teams. 

However, against the Cavaliers, the Lady Ephs’ luck ran out, as Virginia blanked Williams College 9-0. Eight of the Cavaliers’ nine victories came in dominating straight-set fashion, with the win rounded out by a 3-1 victory courtesy of No. 1 freshman Emma Jinks against Williams sophomore Julia Ward. 

Junior Tara Arya also made her season debut in the No. 2 spot for the Cavaliers, setting herself up for further success in the position with a straight-set victory against Esther Baek. 

Both Virginia teams continue their season Jan. 23 at home against No. 12/No. 13 George Washington University.

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