Sennatt and Mattson win "B" Titles

[MEN'S RESULTS]     [WOMENS RESULTS]     [Stand by for photos]

For the first time since Princeton held both titles in 2000, one school has won both National Individual Squash titles today, with Harvard's Siddarth Suche joining Kyla Grigg as men's and women's titleholders for 2007.

For Kyla Grigg, finalist in each of the past two seasons, it was third time lucky, though luck was not involved as she used superior experience and a solid game plan to defeat the surprise finalist, Penn freshman Kristin Lange.

Kristin Lange was a threat to Kyla Grigg up front. (photo:© 2007 Leslie Lane)

"She's improved every time out this year, improving a lot even in the past month," said Kyla Grigg graciously in accepting the winner's trophy. For Grigg, it was all about desire.

Kyla Grigg kept her focus. (photo:© 2007 Leslie Lane)

"I felt confident all weekend," said Grigg, "I really wanted the title as a senior and I concentrated and stayed focused. With Kristin, you can't give the ball to her up front, and as long as I kept it away from the front I was OK."

Lange took advantage of a lapse in that regard from Grigg to win the second game and keep the contest close. But after the second game, Grigg wasn't giving Lange many chances to take the initiative at the front court and that was the difference.

"We are exceedingly pleased that Kristin made it to the final," said an excited Penn coach Jack Wyant. "She will have more opportunities, and I can't say enough about how well Kyla played."

Following the women's final, Kyla's teammate, Sid Suchde took the court against favored Mauricio Sanchez of Princeton. Sanchez had already beaten Suchde twice this season, both times in straight games.

"The difference this time was my mental attitude," said Suchde. "As a senior, I really wanted this and I came into it with a great attitude. My coaches told me a few things to do, and I stuck with those. The key was keeping things simple."

Suchde and Sanchez battled it out for an hour and three quarters. (photo:© 2007 Leslie Lane)

Simple or not, the two protagonists battled it out on a hot court for an hour and forty five mintues before Suchde came away with the tile.

After two fairly wild semifinals, things settled down for the finals. "The refs made it clear they were going to control things today and everything went fine. It was a clean match," said Suchde.

"Two great players, great squash and great sportsmanship," said Sanchez's coach, Princeton's Bob Callahan.

"It was so great being able to both enjoy my win and then go out there and cheer on my friend and teammate Sid," concluded Grigg.

CSA National Individual Squash Championships 2007
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Results
Finals:
Potter Cup (Men’s National Title):
[3] Sid Suchde (Harvard) def [2] Mauricio Sanchez (Princeton) 9-2 7-9 10-8 9-2 (105 min)
Ramsay Cup (Women’s National Title):
[1] Kyla Grigg (Harvard) def [6] Kristin Lange (Penn) 9-5 7-9 9-3 9-5 (42 min)
Molloy Cup (Men’s B Title):
Nils Mattson (Navy) def Jeff Sawin (Navy) 3-9 6-9 9-2 10-8 9-1
Holleran Cup (Women’s B Title):
Kaitlin Sennatt (Princeton) def Feranda Rocha (Trinity) 9-4 9-6 9-3

[MEN'S RESULTS]     [WOMENS RESULTS]

Kristin Lange had her teammates as her vocal fans. (photo:© 2007 Leslie Lane)