Women's Squash

A Look Ahead at the 1998-1999 Lord Jeffs

 

Season Outlook

 

Although Amherst lost two four-year starters in co-captains Justine O'Connor and Carrie Goodwin, the prospects for the 1998-99 season look very good. The renovation of Amherst's Davenport Squash Courts, completed in January of 1998, will provide returning veterans and promising rookies a first-class training and match site. The ten international courts are of the highest quality with maple floors and sand-filled walls, which provide the necessary density for good sound and bounce. The courts are, arguable, the most beautiful in collegiate squash.
Returning to the Amherst squad are seniors Page Callaghan (Strafford, PA), Sheila Reynolds (Great Falls, VA), Kim Karetsky (New York, NY) and Bevin Sell (Salisbury, MD). After seeing limited play during her first two years because of a back injury, Callaghan stepped up at the No. 1 position as a junior to garner All-America status. Karetsky returns for her final year after being named the squad's Most Improved Player for the 1997-98 season, and Reynolds will try to improve upon last year's best individual record.
Junior Rachel Nisselson (Brooklyn, NY) also returns, and the team will rely heavily on her strength and speed in the top part of the ladder. Along with Nisselson, sophomores K.C. Giese (Ardmore, PA) and Vanessa Champion (Philadelphia, PA) both return to add depth and consistency to Amherst's strong and experienced line-up.
 

1997-98 Amherst College Women's Squash:
A Tradition of Excelence

 
The Amherst women's squash team, riding a wave of continued success, captured its third Little III Championship in a row. Fueled by a January training trip to Boca Raton, Florida, the team finished in a tie for eighth in the nation. This marks the fourth time in as many years that the team has finished in the national top-10.
The team was led in the No. 1 spot by junior Page Callaghan. Callaghan was selected as a Second Team All-American and had impressive wins over Williams and Dartmouth. Holding down the No. 2 slot, sophomore Rachel Nisselson posted a 9-6 record, including a pair of tough wins over Williams and Bowdoin. Justine O'Connor had a stellar senior season a the No. 3 position, racking up an 8-4 record an clinching the Little III Title for Amherste with a come-from-behind, 3-2 win over Liz Craft of Williams. Junior Sheila Reynolds registered a 10-3 record and provided much needed depth at the No. 4 position. Freshman standout K.C. Giese saw limited play at No. 5 due to a nagging back injury, but she was able to contribute to important matches against Williams, Bowdoin and Brown. Co-captain Carrie Goodwin and junior Kim Karetsky added winning records at No. 6 and 7, while junior Bevin Sell and freshman Vanessa Champion constantly improved at eight and nine.
 

Head Coach Jackie Bagwell

 
Head Coach Jackie Bagwell enters her ninth season at the helm of the Amherst women's squash program. She is joined by a talented assistant and top senior player Paul Norton.
Bagwell's enthusiasm for squash exudes itself in her coaching, teaching and professional involvement. Bagwell is also the head coach of the women's tennis team at Amherst. Prior to joining the Amherst staff, Bagwell spent three years at Hamilton College as Director of Racquet Sports and head coach of the men's and women's tennis and squash teams.
 
Head Women's Squash Coach: Jacqueline Bagwell
Address: Box 2230, Alumni Gymnasium
Amherst, MA 01002-5000
Phone: 413 542-2316
E-mail: jkbagwell@amherst.edu
1998-99 Captains: Page Callaghan, Sheila Reynolds