The beta season for the women’s hybrid 2.5/3.0 league is off to a great start, with more squash, more players, and closer matches than in recent years. We wanted to create a league that could accommodate women too strong for the 2.5 league, but addicted to club-based team dynamics for league level play. Five matches are played instead of 4, with the top “1A” match designated for 3+ level women. There are now 8 club-based teams (up from 7 last year), and 83 women have played at least once already (up from a grand total of 69 that played an official league match during the entire season last year). This 20% increase in women at the T is likely to climb, as the second half of the season has yet to be played.
Contrary to what others may assume, the women’s hybrid league also has the tightest spread, therefore making it the most competitive amongst the teams (do not be fooled by our feminine charm). The top and bottom ranked teams are relatively close, closer than any other spread in any of the other leagues at the moment (including the O4.0). Since the hybrid league is playing 5 matches every league night, the spread differential is even tighter than it appears (it takes fewer league nights to ‘make up’ lost ground than in the open leagues). Six of the 8 club-based teams have predominantly fielded 5 players every league night, and we continue to work on making sure one 3+ level woman is available to join her four 2.5 level teammates as often as possible. By encouraging the strongest women to only play in the “1A” position, teams are more likely to field their 2.0-2.25 players in the 5th position…more squash being played all around, and more equally matched players competing weekly.
The hybrid league has made club-based league play possible for several dozen 3+ level women, and helps expand the base of women regularly playing competitively. We plan on celebrating very soon with our second annual combined 2.5-3.5 round robin league social on Wednesday, January 15 at the Murr Center. All women playing at the 2.5-3.5 level on MA leagues are welcome to join in the fun! (RSVP in advance to threefiveleague@gmail.com or to L. Putukian)
– Lisa Putukian