Varsity Girls Squash

The boys and girls varsity squash teams both exceeded their predicted rankings at this past weekend’s U.S. High School Squash National Championships in Philadelphia.

The girls team, seeded last in their division, upset higher-ranked St. George’s School from Middletown, RI, by a score of 4-3 and finished 30th in the nation (out of 85 teams). Individual highlights include Layah Nasr ’23’s dominating 3-0 win in the #1 slot against St. George’s School, Sophia Calkins ’24’s dual wins against St. George’s and Middlesex School, Meera Vadlamani ’24’s three wins at the demanding #3 position, Haley Coon ’24’s wins over Middlesex and St. George’s, Yabbie Maelaf ’23’s and Anya Aggarwal ’25's amazing five-game battles against their opponents from Middlesex, and Sami Krilla ’25’s come-from-behind win against Seven Hills School. Substitute player Cici Miliaras ’23 gave her teammates confidence to risk full-out play throughout the weekend.

The boys team, expected to finish in 15th place, upset local 10th seed Springside Chestnut Hill Academy 4-3 and finished in 12th place in boys division III (44th nationally, out of 102 teams). Playing four matches in just three days, every player contributed to the team’s success, and each faced their share of victory and adversity. Notable results include Ben Levy ’25’s dominating 3-0 win playing in the #1 slot against SCH Academy, co-captain Jeffrey Nuechterlein ’23’s two come-from-behind wins over higher-rated opponents, co-captain Jack Wigmore ’23’s diving saves and relentless determination, Jackson Mackney ’23’s nearly hour-long battle to prevail against SCH Academy, and Alexander Zhou ’23’s 3-1 record at the pivotal #5 position throughout the weekend. Will Scribner ’25 and Graham LaForce ’25 both went 2-2 overall and notched impressive wins against skilled opponents. Aidan Corwin ’24, our substitute player, provided excellent coaching and support to teammates throughout the weekend.

All Potomac squash players, including those unable to travel this past weekend, share in the teams’ successes this season. Special thanks to our squash team parents for their provisions, support, and encouragement, and to U.S. Squash for organizing the world’s largest squash tournament with nearly 1,700 players competing across 13 divisions at five venues.

The girls squash team hosted the Mid-Atlantic Squash Organization Tournament (MASO) on Saturday, February 4. Potomac played National Cathedral School in the semifinals and won 6-3. In the exhibition match, junior Sophia Calkins played a tough game but put up a good fight with the score being 1-3. Potomac moved onto the final round against St. Catherine's, who won their semifinal game against Mercersburg. The finals came down to the ninth position player, sophomore Sami Krilla. Potomac had won the first four games and St. Catherine's won the four games after that. Krilla played an excellent game – winning 3-1, breaking the deadlock with St. Catherine's, and bringing home the first-place plaque for the Panthers. View photos from the tournament.