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Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Following Dramatic Season, Princeton Announces Scholar-Athlete Honorees, Team Award Recipients
May 16, 2018 | Women's Squash
Following a season in which Princeton reached the #1 ranking in the nation, pulled off a wild comeback win over Trinity and returned to the CSA team semifinals, the Tiger women's squash team announced a trio of upperclassmen who earned impressive recognition following the season.
Both junior Samantha Chai and senior Kira Keating were named recipients of the 2018 CSA Scholar Athlete Award, which is granted to juniors or seniors who have played on the team throughout their college career, participated in the majority of the team's matches in the top-10 of the lineup during the season, and achieved a high academic standing at their institution. For full criteria, please see here.
Keating and fellow co-captain Olivia Fiechter, both of whom claimed All-America honors at the CSA individual championships, were recipients of the top team awards in 2018. Fiechter, who earned First-Team All-America honors all four years of her Princeton career, was the recipient of the Edward W. Hobler '39 Women's Squash Award, which is presented annually to that player who through dedication, practice, attitude, and performance best provides an inspiration to her fellow teammates.
Keating, who made a dramatic run through the Holleran Cup draw to earn Second-Team All-America honors, was the recipient of The Lexi Anastos Trophy. Co-Captain of the Princeton Women's Varsity Squash Team in 1990 and 1991. Lexi was a caring, thoughtful, and dependable captain to a team that had all her support. A keen competitor, Lexi's loyalty to her team came first as she ran around giving confidence and suggestions at team matches. She had a great sense of fun and always made her team feel good about themselves when she was around. Alexandra Rose Anastos '91, January 15, 1969 - February 14, 2000. This annual award named in honor of Lexi shall be presented to a Princeton Varsity Women's Squash player who best exemplifies Lexi's fine qualities.
Fiechter, the 2015 Ivy League Rookie of the Year and a four-time All-Ivy honoree, overcame a debilitating back injury from 2016 to record a career-high 17 victories and lead Princeton to the #1 overall ranking in January. Memorable wins included a home victory over Trinity to complete a comeback from 4-1 down, and a victory at Harvard over the top-ranked player in the nation. While her career victory total (43) was held back due to injuries, she put an exclamation point on a brilliant career with 17 wins as a senior.
Keating won 49 matches during an impressive career, including a career-best 17 this past season. She played the majority of her career around the middle to bottom of the varsity ladder, but she could be counted on for critical wins throughout her four years. Keating ended her career in perfect fashion, going 3-0 during Howe Cup weekend and then sweeping through the Holleran Cup draw to claim her first All-America finish.
Chai will head into her senior season with 37 career wins, including a career-best 15 last season. She had a critical win during the final shift of the Trinity comeback to help the Tigers ascend to the top spot in the country, and she added a victory over Penn to help Princeton earn its first road win over the Quakers since 2006. Chai played the majority of the season at the #3 or #4 position and will be one of Princeton's top returners next season.
Both junior Samantha Chai and senior Kira Keating were named recipients of the 2018 CSA Scholar Athlete Award, which is granted to juniors or seniors who have played on the team throughout their college career, participated in the majority of the team's matches in the top-10 of the lineup during the season, and achieved a high academic standing at their institution. For full criteria, please see here.
Keating and fellow co-captain Olivia Fiechter, both of whom claimed All-America honors at the CSA individual championships, were recipients of the top team awards in 2018. Fiechter, who earned First-Team All-America honors all four years of her Princeton career, was the recipient of the Edward W. Hobler '39 Women's Squash Award, which is presented annually to that player who through dedication, practice, attitude, and performance best provides an inspiration to her fellow teammates.
Keating, who made a dramatic run through the Holleran Cup draw to earn Second-Team All-America honors, was the recipient of The Lexi Anastos Trophy. Co-Captain of the Princeton Women's Varsity Squash Team in 1990 and 1991. Lexi was a caring, thoughtful, and dependable captain to a team that had all her support. A keen competitor, Lexi's loyalty to her team came first as she ran around giving confidence and suggestions at team matches. She had a great sense of fun and always made her team feel good about themselves when she was around. Alexandra Rose Anastos '91, January 15, 1969 - February 14, 2000. This annual award named in honor of Lexi shall be presented to a Princeton Varsity Women's Squash player who best exemplifies Lexi's fine qualities.
Fiechter, the 2015 Ivy League Rookie of the Year and a four-time All-Ivy honoree, overcame a debilitating back injury from 2016 to record a career-high 17 victories and lead Princeton to the #1 overall ranking in January. Memorable wins included a home victory over Trinity to complete a comeback from 4-1 down, and a victory at Harvard over the top-ranked player in the nation. While her career victory total (43) was held back due to injuries, she put an exclamation point on a brilliant career with 17 wins as a senior.
Keating won 49 matches during an impressive career, including a career-best 17 this past season. She played the majority of her career around the middle to bottom of the varsity ladder, but she could be counted on for critical wins throughout her four years. Keating ended her career in perfect fashion, going 3-0 during Howe Cup weekend and then sweeping through the Holleran Cup draw to claim her first All-America finish.
Chai will head into her senior season with 37 career wins, including a career-best 15 last season. She had a critical win during the final shift of the Trinity comeback to help the Tigers ascend to the top spot in the country, and she added a victory over Penn to help Princeton earn its first road win over the Quakers since 2006. Chai played the majority of the season at the #3 or #4 position and will be one of Princeton's top returners next season.
Players Mentioned
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