The varsity girls squash team’s season is off to an impressive start with its current record sitting at 5-0. Over this five-match span, the team has picked up wins against Westminster, Williston Northampton, Kingswood Oxford, Suffield Academy, and Kent, and the Pelicans have won a total of 31 games compared to their opponents’ four.  
 
With many new faces on the team — the varsity squad graduated five seniors last year — the odds were stacked against them this year. However, the Pelicans have overcome these obstacles because of both the team’s mentality and disciplined off-season training.  

According to head coach Rachel Nisselson, a key part of the team’s early success can be attributed to the “majority of the team being able to train hard during the off season, which allowed the girls to hit the ground running in the start of the season.”  
 
That being said, the players have been diligent with their off-season training, and many have taken advantage of opportunities to play against a variety of opponents. Coach Nisselson cites an example of this, mentioning that “Ashanti Amastal, Nagima Williams, and Aditi Bhor play in tournaments outside of school, and this experience competing against a wide range of players strengthens their competitive edge.” 
 
In addition to this training, senior captains Charlotte Tobin and Ashanti Amastal bring three core values to their team: hard work, determination, and mental toughness. The team embodies these values in every practice and match, which has allowed the players to win close games and face adversity with courage.  
 
Coach Nisselson stresses to her team that every player has a key role in her team’s success no matter how skilled she is, which creates an inclusive team environment. 
 
Up next for these Pelicans is a match against Choate on Wednesday, January 10, when the team will look to win its sixth straight match.