Squash match Credit: Carly Spilker
Squash match at JP Morgan Tournament
Credit: Carly Spilker

On January 11, 2016 the varsity squash team sat in the audience to watch the 2016 J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Station. One of the team’s coaches, Charlie Johnson, thought the ultimate inspiration for Hewitt’s squash team would be to watch a professional match and emulate the players’ performance. 

Credit: Carly Spilker '18. The Women's and Men's draw in the tournament.
Women’s and Men’s Draw in the JP Morgan match Credit: Carly Spilker

The first match the team saw was between Emily Whitlock, the 16th seed, and Camille Serme, the 4th seed. The intense, action-packed game started when Serme served to Whitlock, and won 11-6. She won the second game as well at 11-5, but Whitlock started to make a comeback in the third game winning 11-8. Serme took the fourth and final game at 13-11, wrapping up the close, energetic match 3-1.

After watching the match, Sabrina Seneviratne ‘18 said “I think that we can all learn to always reach for the ball, and to be agile on the court. Also, don’t ever lose hope because even if you are losing you can always pick up your game.”

The team’s coach, Charlie Johnson, always quotes Davie Crocket, a frontiersmen and congressman by saying, “Be sure you are right, then go ahead.” The coach uses this quote as a motivational push for the athletes in the middle of intense matches. He encourages the girls to never doubt or give up on themselves, in order to play to the best of their ability.

Taylor Sitomer ’18 said, “Getting the opportunity to watch some of the best squash players in the world compete was very inspirational. Not only did I enjoy and learn from the games that I watched, but I left feeling excited about new strategies to try on the court and how to improve myself as a player.” The other teammates were in accord with her comment.  Hewitt’s  squash team is looking forward to finishing off the rest of the winter season strong.

 

 

 

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