Bryn Mawr extends IAAM reign with squash three-peat
By Nelson Coffin
nelson@iaamsports.com
Bryn Mawr coach Kate Brendler takes nothing for granted, even when her team is considered to be the odds-on favorite to continue its squash reign.
That was the case on Tuesday at the IAAM finals against Roland Park Country School, a longtime rival that never gives the Mawritians an inch without a fierce battle.
Bryn Mawr’s 5-2 victory was similar to other encounters between the programs, in which RPCS coach Pat Wong always gets the best from her players.
“I’m really proud of my team and the way they competed today,” Wong said. “They have improved a lot during the season and made the finals a very competitive match.”
Brendler will attest to the push-back by Roland Park in the match.
“They are very, very competitive,” Brendler said. “They develop a mental toughness (under Wong), so I never underestimate Roland Park.”
Wins by the Mawrtians’ top three players, Senior Brigid Brandon, her sister, junior Fionnoula Brandon, and senior Sabina Sitwat, over freshman Sloane Mitchell and seniors Piper Block and Skylar Carr, respectively, meant that one more win would seal the deal for the two-time defending champs.
Sophomore Anna Powell’s tight 3-2 verdict over senior Anna Waldron put Bryn Mawr over the hump, although RPCS juniors Grace Collins and Lilly Ragonste won 3-1 verdicts over freshmen Maggie Schneider, 3-1, and Charlotte Wettlaufer to put the Reds on the board.
Bryn Mawr junior Perry Hart fashioned a 3-1 win over junior Emma Goldman for the Mawrtians’ fifth win of their third consecutive championship.
The Brandon sisters, Brendler said, pose problems for their opponents by using savvy instincts on the court.
“Brigid is very smart,” the coach said about the Amherst commit. “She knows where her opponent is going next and puts the ball where she isn’t. She has great anticipation of what her opponent is going to do next. She is just fun to watch. And Fionnoula does a lot of the things Brigid does.”
In addition to their skills on the court, the siblings have embraced what it means to be a good teammate.
"Even though each match is a singles match, tournaments are won by the collective efforts of the whole team," Brigid said.
"Each of the players quietly works together to support each other’s development at practice and very loudly to cheer each other on at tournaments," Fionnoula added.
Sitwat’s steady play serves her well, Brendler said.
“She doesn’t get rattled,” she said. “She’s very methodical.”
Hart had her hands full, as usual, with Goldman, yet still had the wherewithal to overcome a determined and resilient adversary.
“There are no easy wins against Emma,” Brendler added. “She always plays tough, long matches. It was really helpful to get that win.”
Looking forward, having junior Hart, sophomore Powell and freshmen (Wettlaufer and Schneider) — not to mention the younger Brandon sister — battle-tested for next year’s campaign, has to give Bryn Mawr optimism for 2025 and beyond.
“We’re losing our Nos. 1 and 3 players,” Brendler said. “But we’re hoping to fill in the gaps and be strong again next year.”