November 18 , 2005

Katie Hendricks

GENEVA, N.Y.—Under the guidance of Head Coach Chip Fishback, the William Smith College squash team is poised to defend its first Liberty League Championship this weekend at the conference tournament. Despite the graduation of two starters from last year’s squad, the Herons return a solid nucleus of starters while welcoming four talented first-years to campus.

The 2004 Liberty League Coach of the Year, Fishback has coached William Smith since the inception of the program in 1998. In 2004-05, he led the Herons to a record-breaking season, posting a program-best 15-5 record. For the first time, William Smith qualified for the Kurtz Cup—the B Division of the Howe Cup—and completed the season ranked 15th in the nation.

An All-Liberty League first-team selection, junior Katie Henricks (The Shipley School/Haverford, Pa.) powered her way to a 10-6 overall record from the No. 1 position last season. The combination of her clean, crisp ground strokes and great court coverage should result in a successful season. Hendricks is the reigning Liberty League Performer of the Week after a straight set victory at Colgate last weekend.

Playing primarily out of the No. 3 slot last season, senior Kinsey Cruice (The Lawrenceville School/Darien, Conn.) turned in an overall record of 6-6. She will move up to No. 2 position with heightened expectations. A well-conditioned athlete, Crucie frustrates her opponents by tracking down potential winners to extend points.

A two-time All-Liberty League selection, junior Shaila Pandole (Jai Hind College/Mumbai, India) will anchor the No. 3 position. Although her season ended premature because of illness, she posted an 8-3 record, including a 3-1 mark in the conference. A highly talented player, Pandole boasts a career record of 18-10.

First-year Lori Stump (Shady Side Academy/Pittsburgh, Pa.) turned in an impressive straight set victory against Colgate in her William Smith debut. An intelligent and athletic player, Stump uses precise shots to keep her opponent off balance. In high school, she was the No. 3 player on the men’s team.

Also making her Heron debut against Colgate was sophomore Lucy Ross (Springside School/Philadelphia, Pa.) at the No. 5 spot. An experienced and well-schooled player, Ross competed at the nation level prior to entering high school, earning the No. 15 ranking in her age group.

The 2004 Liberty League Rookie of the Year, Maddie Brooks (Westminster School/New Canaan, Conn.) will begin her sophomore campaign from the No. 6 position. She sported a team best 15-5 record, including an unblemished 4-0 mark in the League, last season.

Junior transfer Serena Turner (The Taft School/Locust Valley, N.Y.) will be making her collegiate debut at the Liberty League Championships this weekend.

Sophomore Emily Gailun (Westminster School/Longmeadow, Mass.) finished her rookie season with a 12-8 record from the second half of the lineup. Also a well-conditioned athlete, Gailun has a knack for returning potential winners.

In the No. 9 position, first-year Mimi Mattiasen (Tabor Academy/Ocean Beach, N.Y.) features a devastating backhand.

William Smith will begin its title defense against Vassar at 1 p.m. on Nov. 19, in Canton, N.Y.

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