** More details
later **
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Penn's Kristen Lange knocks out Harvard's
June Tiong and Alisha Mashruwala in straight games to reach
the final. (photo:©2008 Debra
Tessier)
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day in
Annapolis, results played out in 14 separate draws, with even
the third-round loser consolation matches contested with spirited
and earnest determination.
On the women's side, Miranda Ranieri managed
to sustain a freak ankle twist while "ghosting" prior to
her quarterfinal match. But, heavily taped, played in a relaxed
and upbeat fashion, defeating in turn both Princeton's Neha
Kumar and Trinity's Lauren Polonich in straight games to
advance to the final.
Her opponent will be Kristen Lange of Penn,
who also marched dominantly into the final, playing confident,
nearly error-free squash.
It looks to be an interesting and closely
contested final.
On the men's side, Baset Chaudry withstood the
impressive opposition of Rochester's Jim Bristow in the quarterfinal,
before advancing past game but outmatched Kimlee Wong in the
semi final. The late evening finished very quickly as Baset Chaudry
(Trinity) showed why he is rated the top male intercollegiate
squash player in the country. He dispelled of #4 seed Kimlee
Wong (Princeton) very quickly in three straight games 9-3,
9-2, 9-0.
DETTER OVER SANCHEZ IN A CLASSIC!
Last
evening’s men’s and women’s semi-finals
at the Naval Academy’s spectacular center court followed
the projected seeding to the letter with one major exception.
But
it was the 93 minutes of absolute drama prior to the Chaudry/Wong
semi that will have college squash fans talking for years
to come. The first game got under way much as expected with
long attritional rallys, each player endeavoring to establish
a good length on the temporary ASB four wall glass court.
Gustav Detter the current #2 player at Trinity College showed
himself to be more patient and after 23 minutes of very tame
squash came out with the first game 9-5. Mauricio
Sanchez, a beautiful striker of the ball was able to open
up the court a little more in the second frame and began
finishing points on the determined Swede. There were very
few errors on both sides but Sanchez controlled most of the
points and when under pressure seemed to find a way to create
some interference and restart the point, thus raising the
frustration level of Detter. Sanchez prevailed 9-3 and the
battle was joined.
What
a third game it was; the pace quickened, long and exhausting
rallies
were the norm. Gustav demonstrated his amazing retrieving
skills time and time again. Over and over he ran corner to
corner to dig out the offensive onslaught by the number two seed.
Lobs and counter drops were the norm as he kept the ball in play
trying to withstand the “Mexican
Attack”. After almost 20 minutes of this most enthralling
third game Sanchez quickly went from 5 all to game ball.
But Detter was not to be denied, he clawed back and after
a couple of stroke calls, a feathery drop and a dying length
knotted the score at 8. Both boys were giving everything
to claim the all important third game. Hand in, hand out,
back and forth and again Sanchez squanders a game ball, the
action is intense.
Then it happened, Mauricio hits the floor
with a yell and is writhing in pain. His upper left leg has
fully cramped and he can’t move. It looks to be over
with Detter backing into the final. The trainer comes out,
Sanchez takes his allowed 3 minute injury time and stands
to return serve with the score at game ball Detter. Sanchez
can’t move to return serve and loses 10-9 and is now
down 2-1. The 90 second between games rest ensues.
 |
| Princeton's Mario Sanchez battles
past leg cramps and a hit in the nose, but Trinity'a Gustav
Detter prevails to meet teammate Baset Chaudry in the final.(photo:©2008
Debra Tessier) |
The Princeton
corner is dejected but working feverishly to loosen up the leg.
The match definitely looks to be over as the courageous young
man limps back on court to contest the fourth. The ball now has
not been hit for almost five minutes and is definitely slower.
Immediately the stroke maker Sanchez slots in three straight
nicks recognizing that he is in no position to play the “running game”.
The ball seems to have lost its bounce completely and Detter
is shaking his head as he is unable to get his opponent back
into the physical game that he would like. A couple of quick
rallies but definitely a little more work required from the
Princeton squasher but his leg seems to be loosening.
But
then his second “self inflicted” injury. He is
about to vomit from all the exertion and cramping. This would
certainly not be the first time that this has occurred in
squash over the years as women/men push their bodies to the
limit. However if it does happen on court the player is disqualified
and the match is deemed over. Sanchez quickly goes out the
door to the closest garbage pail, regurgitates and tries
to recover. Play in squash is to be continuous and Sanchez
is penalized a point.
The fans cannot believe the courage
and are mystified that he is able to continue. The battle
resumes, Getter is definitely showing signs of nerves, while
Sanchez albeit very pale is gallantly staying in the points.
Ten minutes later he is still going, who knows where the
energy is coming from. The longer the point goes the more
the contest swings in Detter’s favor, but countering
the now, free swinging Mexican is not easy. Back and forth,
mouths are wide open around the stadium to this non stop
drama. Will it go to a fifth and deciding game? 8 all, match
ball Detter, Sanchez calls no set meaning the game goes to
9, not 10 and that he is immediately facing match ball, he
saves that one and indeed another one with two impeccably
hit cross court nicks. Gustav replies each time with
some unbelievable retrieving. Finally on the third match
ball he hits a wide irretrievable cross court. The coaches
and fans take a deep breath and a resounding applause follows.
Trinity now has its top two players in today’s final.
The ending score line is 9-5, 3-9, 10-9, 9-8 but no one will
remember the exact scores. However all those who had the
good fortune to be there will never forget the heart, speed
and fitness of Gustav Detter and the spectacular shot making
and absolute go to the limit effort of Mauricio Sanchez. What
a classic!
NAVY'S END OF THE ROAD SATURDAY
Tucker George's hopes for an All American berth
faded in a well-attended consolation round match at high noon,
as did the hopes of several of his Naval Academy compatriots.
(more Saturday highlights later)
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| Navy's Tucker George finishes
his run in the Potter Cup consolation round. (photo:©2008
Debra Tessier) |
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| Baset Chaudhry ends Rochester's
Jim Bistrow's run in the quarterfinals. .(photo:©2008
Debra Tessier) |
|
