Princeton University Athletics
Lineup is Loaded with a Dynamic Top Four
August 09, 1999 | Women's Squash
Aug. 9, 1999
While Julia Beaver is the Princeton women's squash cover girl - a Squash Magazine cover with the headline "Imposing Presence," to be exact - it was actually Meghan Murphy at No. 9 who gave Princeton the deciding point in its 5-4 win over Harvard in the 1999 national championship match at the Howe Cup.
The moral of the story?
It takes more than the best player in the country to win at squash. That reality is crystal clear to Tiger coach Gail Ramsay, who enters the 1999-2000 season in search of a third-straight national title.
And she does so minus some key members of last year's team. Elise O'Connell at No. 2 is gone, but it's the graduation losses of the No. 7, No. 8, No. 9, No. 10 and No. 11 players from last year's team that have Ramsay most concerned.
"It's going to be tough to replace them all in one year," Ramsay says. "You're talking about the bulk of the squad. When you have six seniors in your top 11, you have to think it's going to affect you the next year." Taking some of the stress off the new faces at the bottom of the lineup is a dynamic top four that is loaded.
It starts with Beaver, last year's individual national champion who is perfect in her first two seasons in regular-season matches. A two-time All-America and Ivy League Player of the Year, she is a unique blend of power, athleticism and soft shot-making ability.
"She's the best player in the country," Ramsay says. "As a freshman and sophomore, she was probably the best freshman and sophomore this country has ever seen."
Beaver figures to be joined in the top four by three other veterans. With O'Connell's graduation, senior Blair Irwin, junior Meredith Quick and senior Elizabeth Kelly will probably battle for the second, third and fourth spots. Irwin and Quick were first-team All-Americas a year ago, Kelly was second-team.
"It's an outstanding top four," says Ramsay. "It's an incredibly tough group. We could have the best 1-4 anywhere."
Emily Eynon, a sophomore who played mostly at No. 5 and No. 6 last year, is back in the middle of the lineup.
"Emily made some adjustments in her game last year," Ramsay says. "I'm very excited about her contribution next year."
After that, the Tigers turn to some new faces.
Anna Minkowski, a sophomore, has some varsity experience. Courtenay Green was the No. 1 junior varsity player last year as a freshman, and she is ready to crack the varsity lineup as are junior Rebecca Gutner and incoming freshman Jen Shillington.
"We're obviously untested from No. 6 down," Ramsay said. "That part of the lineup is always competitive. We're going to have to have those people step up this year. I anticipate that that part of the lineup will be competitive and constantly improving. The team and I are very excited about the coming year and the challenges it brings."