For the better part of the 2018-19 squash season, the Saints did not have the same success they achieved in years past. During mid-semester break, the Saints Men’s Squash Team headed to Yale University for CSA Team Nationals where the players had a tough few days, but according to the new head coach, Scott Denne, the team is heading in the right direction.

“It was the first time I’d seen the team play for each other since I’ve been here,” he stated.

One of the team’s three captains, Karim Ibrahim ’20, felt the need to come out strong for the upperclassmen. “Our main goal in that match was to bounce back, but more importantly we needed one more push for the seniors. We had George, Lenard, Derrick, Mike and Matt,” he said. The team came out with emphasis on playing for these seniors and dominated a strong #9 seeded UVA team. Ibrahim knew it was a special win. “For the first time in a few years, I saw the team bounce back from a loss,” he shared.

This team won an “emotional” game against Cornell early Saturday but came up short later that day to George Washington University in a very competitive match. Coming together as a cohesive unit was key to their success on Sunday against UVA. This team put an emphasis on supporting each other this season. Captain George Willis ’19 knew that the team needed leadership and a collective effort. “At the very beginning of the season, Lenard, Karim and myself decided that if we could achieve one thing this year, it would be to bring this team closer,” he emphasized.

By the time their match against UVA had come around, the team had hit its groove and team communication and leadership were high, according to Captain Lenard Puski ’19. “I believe the reason why we had a good performance is that the team this year is more of a unity. The underclassmen and juniors played for the senior class, not just for themselves,” he said.

The team found themselves in a much better position than they had started out, playing the team squash it takes to win at this high of a level.

Coach Denne confidently led the team in his first national tournament as a head coach. “I was trying to get the guys to believe in themselves more,” Denne stated, “I wanted them to enjoy the moment.” The guys came out with an emphasis on giving the seniors one last win. Matched up against the top seeded team in their division, UVA, Denne believes they were able to achieve their goal on Sunday. “Sunday was a great way to finish because UVA is a tough team at #9,” he said, “We comfortably beat them on Sunday.”

Players trust Coach Denne and respect him, making him a great fit as the Men’s Squash head coach. Youssef Fikry ’20 is very glad that he’s with the program. “Everyone is so excited about Scott being here because he is so supportive and is very close to all of us,” he shared.

It has been an easy transition for the players, especially with his level of expertise and, according to Fikry, the team and coach were on the same page Sunday.

“Scott would give us advice and you wouldn’t know what it meant, but by the UVA match we figured it out,” he said.

The team struggled at times with a lack of depth due to recruiting and injuries, but the players always had outstanding leadership in Willis, Puski and Ibrahim.

Denne could not have made this transition without them. “They’ve been great, good leadership has been key,” Denne emphasized, “They’ve been motivating the guys further down the ladder and have always been very supportive with the new training.”

According to players, former seasons have not had the same leadership. In fact, last season the team did not have captains. With the establishment of leadership and a new head coach, as well as an impressive win to end the season, the Men’s Squash Team is ready to begin working toward next season’s goals.