A Solid Performance

The Martlets had five players with matches on Feb. 24. Ethan Na '19 lost a heartbreaker in the 5/6 match in Flight No. 7 to open the day. Na was simply brilliant in his first two games, winning at seven and eight. His crafty shots just weren't falling in the third game, however, which he ended up losing 5-11. The fourth game proved to be pivotal as the players battled back and forth until the score was tied at 10. Na had a match point at 11-10, but barely missed a touch drop shot, falling in that game 11-13. The final game was tense as well, but Na just couldn't get enough touch volleys for winners and he ended up losing 8-11. Nonetheless, Na finished in sixth place in his flight, the highest finish of any of the boys, which earns him the "nail" for the weekend. In the No. 6 Flight, Nate Swift '19 concluded his Westminster career on a high note, manufacturing patented Swifty shots, including a just-above-the-tin winner through is legs (!) on his way to a 7, 8, 6 victory for a ninth place finish in his flight. In the 7/8 match in Flight No. 5, Sam Pagon '21 found himself trailing 0-2 before playing some inspired squash to win the third game 11-7. Unfortunately, Pagon ran out of gas in the fourth game, losing 3-11, but still finishing in ninth place in his flight. The final two matches were the best of the day for the Martlets. Khalil Walker '19 was absolutely determined to end his four-year squash career with a victory, playing smart and strong squash on the way to a 7, 9, 8 win over a talented opponent in the No. 2 Flight, which was good enough for an 11th place finish. Finally in the No. 1 Flight, Alex Unruh '22 found himself on court with a boy from Loomis whom he had twice defeated in close matches during the regular season. This match was no exception as Unruh prevailed 7, 9, (9), 9, earning him a seventh place finish overall. Overall the team finished 11th our of 14 teams, just about where they were seeded. The Martlets lost four of the five five-game matches they played this weekend, which prevented the team from finishing much higher in the tournament. The four Sixth Formers on the team (Nate Londal, Walker, Swift and Na) showed a lot of leadership and grit over the course of the weekend. They will be missed next year. Nevertheless, the prospects are good for the boys as the team returns Nos. 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 from this year's squad. Coach Michael Cervas would also like to thank the parents who came to the tournament and supported the boys in so many ways (Mrs. Londal, Mrs. Na, and Mr. and Mrs. Gregg).