Bryn Mawr squash squad sets sights on another title

By Nelson Coffin
nelson@iaamsports.com

The way things look at the end of the regular IAAM squash season is that it will take a monumental effort for any of two-time defending champion Bryn Mawr’s rivals to knock off the powerhouse program from garnering a three-peat.

After all, the Mawrtians’ only two setbacks of the season were to a co-ed SquashWise club and Loyola Blakefield, both by narrow 4-3 verdicts.

In league play, coach Kate Brendler’s squad has gotten the better of Garrison Forest, St. Paul’s School for Girls, Roland Park Country School, Notre Dame Prep and St. Timothy’s.

The Mawritians also prevailed over Episcopal (Va.), building their aggregate score against those schools to a dominating, 40-4.

Seniors Brigid Brandon (Amherst College), Sabina Sitwat, and Campbell McCulloch are the leaders of an outfit that has played well this winter, she said.

“Brigid and her sister, junior Fionnoula Brandon, are very strong regular tournament players and have helped the on-court development of their teammates,” Brendler added. “Returning captain, Sabina Sitwat, brings four years of varsity wisdom and experience to the team. Freshmen Charlotte Wettlaufer and Maggie Schneider made their presence known during tryouts by beating several returning players.”

The league rival that gave Bryn Mawr its most severe test was what Brendler called “a very deep team from Roland Park Country School,” which fell, 5-2, when the teams collided in early January.

The Reds (6-3, 5-1 league) had a similar situation against third-place Garrison Forest, beating the Grizzlies by a 5-2 count.

Brendler said that a big challenge for her team is to see who will represent Bryn Mawr both in the IAAM tournament — Feb. 12-13, Coppermine Racquet & Fitness Club, Courts 1-6 — and at High School Nationals next month.