Abigail Cushman, Editor-in-Chief
@abigailccourant
The girls squash team has entered their season in full-swing, playing at New Canaan Country School this year as a new change of location. The team won their first match against St. Luke’s School then lost to Squash Haven and Bronksville, but senior captain Bridget Hillman is hoping to bounce back quickly during their January matches.
As one of three team captains, Bridget has set goals oriented around success in season matches and team bonding. “Over the past two years, it has been challenging to establish genuine team bonds with COVID. But we are looking forward to getting closer this year both as teammates and friends,” she said.
Bridget believes team bonding will both benefit and improve the team’s performance by encouraging the girls to support one another. “We have a lot of new girls, and I can’t wait to watch them develop throughout the season,” she said.
Bridget has high hopes for Sophomores and Juniors alike. “Claire Pellegrino will undoubtedly stand out as a player because of her strength on the court and her dedication to her work,” Bridget said, adding that senior captains Serena Platt and Berkley Mathews are two excellent players who will assist the club with games all season.
Junior Claire Pellegrino has noticed the impact of Bridget’s dedication to the team, along with senior team captains Berkley Matthews and Serena Platt, and already feels as though girls squash has become closer. “Because of our amazing captains we have grown tremendously and are looking to win along with having fun this season,” Claire said.
While the girls squash team strives for success as a whole, Sophomore Chattie Truslow has set expectations for her individual performance throughout the season. “My personal goal is to win at least half of my matches this season. It’s been going pretty well, I’ve won 2 out of 3 of my matches,” she said.
Chattie is also looking forward to getting to know her teammates even better. “All the upperclassmen are super welcoming and fun, I’ve enjoyed being with them both on and off the court,” she said. Similarly, Claire looks forward to team dinners and traveling to matches such as Nationals as a means to bond and to have fun.
In terms of her own personal goals, Claire hopes to improve certain skills while boosting team spirit. “One of my main goals is to make sure squash gets the support it needs from our classmates and our school,” she said. “I believe that our team is very strong and a way for me to contribute to this team is to play my best and support all my teammates.”
Claire is happy with the season’s progress thus far. “I have been playing squash for about 11 years now and it has been a part of my whole life. My sister played as well and all I hope to do is use that 11 years to win some matches for my team!” she said.
In January, the girls squash team will kick off the new year tonight by playing Briar Cliff at Chelsea Piers. “We have such a terrific bunch of ladies this season, and Serena, Berkley, and I are excited to see where the season goes,” Bridget said.
