W. Squash Battles in Princeton

Despite the snow and dangerous road conditions, four members of the Harvard women's squash team travelled to Princeton to compete in the Constable Invitational Tournament.

Co-captain Blair Clark and sophomore Ivy Pochoda reached the semi-finals in an event featuring only formidable competition.

Invitations to the tournament were given to the top three athletes on a team, however, more bids may be given if the squad is considered to be especially strong. Given its history of success on the squash courts, the Crimson (2-0, 1-0 Ivy) was honored with four players receiving invitations to the weekend tournament.

In addition to Clark and Pochoda, two freshmen represented the Crimson--Stephanie Teaford and Brooke Herlihy.

As top recruits, strong performances were expected from these rookies. Currently Herlihy plays the No. 3 spot for Harvard and Teaford competes in the fourth.

The more experienced Clark, who plays the first postion in Harvard's line-up, was given the third seed in the tournament. Pochoda, Harvard's number-two competitor, earned the fourth seed.

All four Harvard women lost to the same two players--the first and second seeds, who were from Penn and Amherst, respectively.

Teaford and Herlihy had the misfortune of encountering these power houses in the first round, while Clark and Pochoda's seeds protected them until the semi-final round.

Even though she lost, Pochoda spoke positively about her play against a very difficult opponent.

"She's from Canada, so she's had more structured training," Pochoda said. "She's a super-great player. But I played pretty well against her."

Pochoda and Clark's semi-final losses led to a match between teammates, both of whom were honored as All-Americans for third place. But Clark, who was feeling ill for-feited to Pochoda, last season's Ivy League Rookie of the Year.

In addition to protecting Clark's health, the default enabled the competitors to leave New Jersey ahead of the snow. Assistant coach Mimi Ells was not so lucky. The weather kept her in Princeton longer than anticipated.

The team, which had not competed as a unit since it defeated Bowdoin December 6, will compete together against Williams on January 31.

Harvard women's squash team an impressive 41-0 under fourth year head coach Bill Doyle.

The Crimson, which has dominated women's squash in recent years, are defending WISRA (Women's Intercollegiate Squash Racquet Association) champions. It has earned this distinction for the last four years.

But the strength of Penn's fresh man superstar doesn't frighten she Harvard team which faces the Quakers in its next Ivy League competition on February 3.

"They're much stronger than last year because they have another freshman [in addition to last week end's champion], but we're still stronger team," Pochoda said, definitely can't look past them, but we're not worried."

The last time the Harvard women lost an Ivy League dual meet was to Princeton in 1991.