World Top-10 Olivia Weaver '18 Returns as Assistant Coach
December 06, 2023 | Women's Squash
"I am very excited to have Olivia join the coaching staff," Princeton coach Gail Ramsay, also Weaver's coach at Princeton, said. "She will be a huge asset to our athletes, bringing the next level of competitive and professional play to the program. I also feel her academic and college squash experience will be an easy connection to our Tiger athletes. Personally, I am so impressed with her growth as a player, her success on the professional tour, and her interest in coaching and giving back to the sport touches me deeply."
Weaver earned first-team All-America honors in each of her four seasons at Princeton, 2015 through 2018, while earning All-Ivy League honors all four years as well. Weaver was one of the three finalists for the Richey Award, the top individual honor in women's college squash, as a senior, three seasons after winning Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors.
"I am truly honored to be rejoining the Princeton Squash program as an assistant coach," Weaver said. "Since graduating in 2018, I've maintained a strong bond with Gail and the team through occasional visits and enthusiastic cheering from afar. I am thrilled to now be taking on a more active role and contributing to this program that means so much to me. My time playing for Gail at Princeton was transformative in my growth as a squash player and person and was key in preparing me for a career on the PSA World Tour. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to take what I have learned from my college and professional experiences and help support this incredible group of young women both on and off the court. Whether it's managing the student-athlete experience or working to take their game to the next level, I look forward to being a resource for the girls in any way that I can."
Weaver will also work with Heba Mohamed El Torky, who joined the program earlier this fall and is the sister of Weaver's former teammate at Princeton, Raneem El Torky."Having been back on campus recently, I've seen how strong and deep the team looks this season, and I'm thrilled to be joining an already incredible coaching staff led by Gail and Heba, as we look to bring home that national title back to New Jersey," Weaver said.
Weaver and Raneem El Torky '22 were teammates during the 2017-18 season, Weaver's last and El Torky's first. That season resulted in a 15-2 overall record for the team and a third-place national finish.
"I would like to welcome Liv back to the team," Heba Mohamed El Torky said. "I've had the privilege of witnessing her remarkable journey from a student-athlete at Princeton to becoming a top-notch professional squash player. Her dedication and hard work have been truly inspiring. Her shared Princeton connection with my sister adds an extra layer of camaraderie. With her experience and deep understanding of the Princeton spirit, there's no doubt that her perspective will be invaluable as we embark on this season together."
As a professional, Weaver holds a No. 10 world ranking by the PSA after ascending to the world top 20 for the first time in 2021. The following year, Weaver helped Team USA finish second at the 2022 Women's World Team Championships, the U.S.'s best finish at the event. Weaver finished runner-up at the U.S. national championships in April 2023, and this fall, won Pan Am Games singles gold, team gold, and women's doubles silver.