Squash Squeaks Past Bates at Howe Cup, 5-4

PRINCETON, N.J. (Feb. 24, 2008) - The Mount Holyoke College women's squash team edged Bates College 5-4 this afternoon at the 2008 Howe Cup National Championships hosted by Princeton University. With their second win of the season over Bates, the Lyons secured 11th place overall at the event. The two teams were facing off in the tournament's "B" Division consolation contest.

Leading the way for Mount Holyoke was junior Pamela Anckermann (Guatemala City, Guatemala/Monte Alto), who cruised to a 3-0 (9-1, 9-2, 9-2) win in the number one slot.

The Lyons also received solid production from first year Vidushi Gurunada (Colombo, Sri Lanka/Lyceum Int'l School) and junior Menusha Hettiarachchi (Colombo, Sri Lanka/Holy Family Convent), who picked up wins at the numbers two and three positions, respectively.

Sophomore Laura Robinson (Paget, Bermuda/Saltus Grammar School) won 3-0 (9-4, 9-5, 9-3) in the fourth slot, and senior Elizabeth Wright (Lexington, Mass./Phillips Exeter) rounded things out with a 3-1 (7-9, 10-8, 9-7, 9-1) triumph in the number six matchup.

Mount Holyoke concluded its season with an overall record of 17-5.

In other action, Williams College defeated Cornell University 6-3 to secure top honors in the "B" Division. Meanwhile, in the "A" Division title match, Princeton downed the University of Pennsylvania 6-3 to earn the national championship.

Mount Holyoke def. Bates, 5-4
1. Pamela Anckermann (MHC) def. Hannah Laverty (BAT), 3-0 (9-1, 9-2, 9-2)
2. Vidushi Gurunada (MHC) def. Jenny Imrich (BAT), 3-0 (9-6, 9-3, 9-3)
3. Menusha Hettiarachchi (MHC) def. Charlotte Gerrish (BAT), 3-0 (9-1, 9-3, 9-1)
4. Laura Robinson (MHC) def. Caroline Lemoine (BAT), 3-0 (9-4, 9-5, 9-3)
5. Whitney Roller (BAT) def. Laurie Lue Yen (MHC), 3-0 (9-4, 9-4, 9-5)
6. Elizabeth Wright (MHC) def. Sarah Bolmstedt (BAT), 3-1 (7-9, 10-8, 9-7, 9-1)
7. Margot Webel (BAT) def. Pia Seth (MHC), 3-0 (9-2, 9-6, 9-5)
8. Stephanie Cabot (BAT) def. Kasia Kaooziejezak (MHC), 3-0 (9-3, 9-0, 9-0)
9. Sophie Runquist (BAT) def. Hillela Simpson (MHC), 3-0 (9-0, 9-0, 9-0)

2008 Howe Cup Brackets