The inaugural season of the women’s hybrid 2.5/3.0+ league came to a dramatic close with two of the four teams competing in playoffs for the first time in at least 9 years. Both sets of semifinals were nail biters that went 3-2 to the victors and included several matches that went the full five games. One playoff match included the most heroic
The winners from BSC Waltham/Healthpoint: standing – Lucy Bradley, Kerry Allison, Aya Sato-DiLorenzo, Lisa Putukian, Debby Carr; kneeling – Jimena Velarde, Gabriella Angiolillo
comeback I’ve ever witnessed – a win in the 5th which required prevailing in 6 consecutive match points against her, then winning by 2. Congratulations to the
The team from Newton Squash and Tennis: Melissa Moulton, Gwen Werner, Paule Garon, Rachel Goldstein, Joyce Dendy on finals night.
Melissa Moulton (NS&T) and Jimena Velarde (BSC W/H)
Lisa Putukian (BSC W/H) and Gwen Werner (NS&T)
Joyce Dendy (NS&T) and Aya Sato-DiLorenzo (BSC W/H)
Rachel Goldstein (NS&T) and Gabriella Angiolillo (BSC W/H)
Paule Garon (NS&T) and Lucy Bradley (BSC W/H)
women from T&R and Newton Squash and Tennis for making the playoffs for the first time in the US Squash database’s recorded history, to Cambridge Athletic Club for consistently giving everyone a good run almost every year in the playoffs, and to BSC Waltham/Healthpoint’s team for securing the league title this season over Newton Squash and Tennis in the finals.
This season has brought many new players to the eight competing teams: 88 women played at least one official league match which is a 28% increase over women’s league participation last year. The standings were very close and it was difficult to predict which teams would continue to the playoffs until nearly the last week of regular competition. All told, 18 women competed in the 3.0+ position (dubbed 1A) and 70 women played predominantly close matches with their 2.5 level counterparts.
Ten women had undefeated seasons (in different playing positions on their respective rosters). Of the undefeated, many withstood competition 5 or more times without crumbling and thus special mention deservedly goes to Jimena Velarde (playing in the 1A position), Gwyneth Ross (playing in position 2-3), and Julia Murray (playing in position 3-5), as well as a shout out to Nicole McNeil (playing in position 2, with an impressive 12-2 record this season).
Good luck to those still alive in the MA State tournament, and we hope to have even more women playing league next season!
-Lisa Putukian
(photos courtesy of Kerry Allison)