The Varsity Blues women’s squash team defeated the McMaster Marauders and Western Mustangs to win the third annual Black Knight women’s team challenge on Saturday, October 30 at the Athletic Centre Squash Courts.

The Blues depth was very evident in the opening match against McMaster, as five players won their matches without dropping a game.

Victoria native Megan Northey won a very close five-game match against Shauna Wentzell. Northey gained a 2-0 lead before Wentzell fought back to tie it. In a tight fifth game, Northey held on to win 3-2.

Daniah Shamim of Oshawa, Ont., and Nobleton, Ont., native Jazeen Hollings had impressive victories over McMaster’s Katie Buck and Megan Razcowski in the number three and four positions, respectively.

Rookie Alison Wardlaw dropped a close 3-2 decision in the number five spot; however, the Blues went on and easily won all the remaining matches as rookies Ashleigh Hagen and Jessica McIntyre as well as veterans Liz Cambridge and Venus Shyu all recorded 3-0 victories.

Toronto then met the Western Mustangs, who had downed the Queen’s Gaels 4-3 in the other semifinal of the day.

Both coaches agreed to play their full rosters, thereby making the final an 11-player match. Western showed their strength at the top of the order with victories in the number one, two and three positions, but U of T’s strength and depth proved to be the difference as they took the next eight matches.

Rookies Briony DeMott and Stefania Raimondo got their first wins wearing the Blue and White, while Helena Whyte, Liz Cambridge, Jessica McIntyre and Ashleigh Hagen all had double victories in their matches.

McMaster defeated Queen’s 6-2 to claim third place.

The Varsity Blues return to action on Saturday, November 13 when they travel to Canton, New York to take on St. Lawrence, William Smith and Rochester.


Varsity Blues v McMaster Marauders 7-2

1. Maia Kirk v Kristina Taylor 1-3 (9-11, 11-4, 9-11 retired)
2. Megan Northey v Shauna Wentzell 3-2 (12-10, 11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 11-9)
3. Daniah Shamim v Katie Buck 3-1 (9-11, 11-8, 14-12, 11-8)
4. Jazeen Hollings v Megan Razcowski 3-0 (11-8, 11-5, 11-8)
5. Alison Wardlaw v Melissa Song 2-3 (6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 8-11)
6. Helena Whyte v Jillian Wyman 3-0 (11-2, 11-1, 11-4)
7. Ashleigh Hagen v Chantal Diaz 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-4)
8. Liz Cambridge v McKala Nederveen 3-0 (11-1, 11-6, 11-8)
9. Jessica McIntyre v McKala Nederveen 3-0 (11-9, 11-2, 11-8)

Varsity Blues v Western Mustangs 8-3

1. Megan Northey v Samantha Hennings 1-3 (11-13, 11-8, 8-11, 8-11)
2. Daniah Shamim v Giselle Delgado 1-3 (4-11, 11-8, 5-11, 7-11)
3. Jazeen Hollings v Holly Delaigne 0-3 (3-11, 4-11, 9-11)
4. Helena Whyte v Alexa Lanese 3-1 (11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4)
5. Alison Wardlaw v Jenny Ng 3-0 (11-4, 11-5, 11-4)
6. Liz Cambridge v Elena Favaro 3-0 (11-2, 11-1, 18-16)
7. Venus Shyu v Laura Cullen 3-0 (11-4, 11-0, 11-4)
8. Ashleigh Hagen v Mellisa Squires 3-0 (11-1, 11-2, 11-2)
9. Jessica McIntyre v Roisin Dooley 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-8)
10. Briony DeMott v Brittant Balint 3-0 (11-1, 11-6, 11-3)
11. Stefania Raimondo v Amy Lampman 3-0 (11-1, 11-1, 11-2)

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