Pair of undefeated records on the line

The undefeated men's and women's squash teams are going into this weekend's home matches against Williams and Brown hoping to keep their perfect records intact.

The women's team (1-0 overall, 1-0 Ivy League) will receive an unprecedented boon this weekend. In the past, injuries have been a significant problem for Princeton, but the Tigers have reason to be confident heading into this weekend because several key players will be returning to action.

"I am confident that we will perform at our highest level this weekend," junior Marilla Hiltz said. "I think this weekend will be a good test for our players that are coming off recent injuries. We're hoping that they get on court and feel as close to 100 percent as possible."

As well as giving Princeton's returning players a chance to stretch their legs, this weekend offers a chance to give the team's younger players their first squash experience at the collegiate level. The matches will be the Tigers' first home games of the season and will provide an opportunity for Princeton freshmen Joanna Scoon, Aly Brady and Maggie O'Toole to display their skill.

"This weekend should be an awesome home opener for us," O'Toole said.

After beating Brown (0-1, 0-1) this season at Ivy Scrimmages and having achieved much success against both the Bears and the Ephs in past years, the team is confident that it will have just as easy a time of it this weekend, especially with the help of its returning players.

"I have no doubt that we will dominate this weekend," Hiltz said.

Almost perfect

The men's team (3-0, 1-0) enters weekend play with only one loss in the 27 individual matches played thus far. The Tigers beat both Cornell and Franklin & Marshall by 9-0 scores, and they took down Western Ontario, 8-1.

The team expects to continue that success this weekend.

"We are physically stronger, and we have better racquet skills as well, so this weekend should be one more step toward a perfect season," freshman Mauricio Sanchez said.

The freshmen on the men's team have already made an incredible impact this season. In Wednesday's match against Franklin & Marshall, Sanchez and classmate Hesham El Halaby played at the No. 1 and 2 positions, respectively. Neither gave up a single game to his opponent.

Similarly, in the matches against Cornell and Western Ontario, Sanchez, freshman Kimlee Wong and El Halaby played at the No. 2 through 4 spots. All three cruised through their matches with ease.

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Overall, the Tigers head into this weekend's matches confident in their abilities but aware that they will have to play well if they are to live up to the lofty expectations set for them.

"Our team is confident going into the weekend, but we know that everyone needs to put in a solid effort in order to beat Williams and Brown," junior Michael Gilman said.

Princeton hopes to use this weekend to prepare for the Five-Man Championships that take place next weekend in New Haven, Conn.

The women's team faces off against Williams at 6:30 p.m. Friday and against Brown at 12 p.m. Saturday. The men take on the Ephs at 8 p.m Friday and the Bears at 2 p.m. Saturday. All of the matches are in Jadwin Gym.