The Drexel University men’s and women’s teams finished their regular season with respective matches against James Madison University and Towson University.

The men played at home against JMU at the Vidas Courts on April 15. They suffered a 6-1 loss against the Dukes.

The Dragons finished their season with a 13-7 record, 2-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association.

In singles matches, freshman Alex Zenonos defeated Brett Moorhead in the fourth spot to get a victory for Drexel.  Moorhead retired after Zenonos won the first set 3-1.

The Dragons were able to force the matches to three sets in four other spots but could not come out with a victory.

Zenonos also contributed to a Drexel victory in the doubles matches, teaming up with junior Balaji Lakshmanan to defeat their James Madison opponents. They won in a sweep by a score of 6-0.

The women finished their regular season on the road against the Towson University Tigers in Maryland. They took a tough loss, falling in a very close match 4-3 on April 14.

One Dragon made history on Friday by setting record for most single matches won in a career. Senior Lea Winkler won her 62nd career singles match, passing Rebecca Murphy’s record of 61, which was set in 1995.

The Drexel women finished their season with a record of 15-8, 2-3 in CAA matchups.

Senior Honami Yazawa defeated Nicole Shakhnazarova in the first spot of the singles matches for the Dragons. Junior Kendra Bunch earned a victory in the third spot for Drexel, after overcoming a one-match deficit, while Winkler earned her record and a match victory for the Dragons in the number four spot.

In the doubles matches, Yazawa and Winkler defeated their Towson opponents 7-5.

The match came down to a tiebreaker. Unfortunately, the tiebreaker went the Tigers’ way at the second doubles spot.

Drexel returns to action when it competes in the Colonial Athletic Association Championships, hosted by Elon University in North Carolina. The Championships begin April 20.

The Drexel University men’s and women’s tennis teams travelled to California for spring break before returning to action on the East Coast.

The men dropped both their West Coast matches, with their first loss coming by a score of 4-1 against the University of San Francisco Dons March 28. In the singles matches, each Dragon fell to his opponent.

Drexel defeated San Francisco in two out of their three doubles matches. Junior Balaji Lakshmanan and freshman Alex Zenonos finished their games up first in the third spot, while junior Hamza Laalej and freshman Youssef Lahlou defeated their opponents in the first spot.

On the other side, the women fell 4-3 to the Dons.

Juniors Clary Rodriguez Cruz and Ryshena Providence defeated their opponents to earn victories for the Dragons in the singles matches.

During the doubles matches, freshman Ghita Benhadi and junior Kendra Bunch finished with a 6-2 win in the number two position. Seniors Lea Winkler and Honami Yazawa would then follow with a 6-2 win of their own in the third spot.

The women went on to play their next game March 29 against the Santa Clara University Broncos. They fell by a score of 4-1.The Dragons fell in two of their doubles matches and tied in a third, 6-1, 6-3, and 4-4 respectively.

Providence was the only Dragon with a win in the singles match.

The men dropped their second match on the West Coast March 30 to the Sacramento State University Hornets by a final score of 5-2.

Youssef Lahlou and senior Daniil Ginzburg won their singles matches for Drexel, while the Dragons were unsuccessful in the doubles matches, falling in all three.

The women returned to the East Coast to face a familiar Colonial Athletic Association rival, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, April 2, and lost by a count of 6-1. Drexel fell in their singles matches and defeated their opponents in doubles in the second and third spots.

Members of the Drexel University men’s and women’s squash teams participated in the 2017 Individual Championships in Hanover, New Hampshire from March 3 to 5.

Junior Atticus Kelly finished first in the consolation finals of the Molloy Division West. He won in a tough five set battle as a strong ending to cap off the season.

“Atticus played three great matches at the individuals. It was good to see him finish this way as he has been injury struck throughout the season and could never play at his best, which saw him drop to  No. 6 on the team,” Head Coach John White said.

Junior Luke Willemse made it to the consolation finals of the Molloy Division East. He fell in five sets to his United States Naval Academy opponent after taking a 2-1 lead through three sets.

Senior Michael Thompson made it to the semifinals of the Molloy Division North but fell to his opponent in three sets. Sophomore Bransten Ming, sophomore Omar El Atmas and freshman Lucas Rousselet also competed.

As for the women, junior Ryan Morgan came in second in the Holleran Division West finals. Morgan fell in four sets to her Columbia University opponent. She led after one game but then dropped the last three.

“[We played] pretty well overall. It is quite tough for the players to play the individuals after the team nationals have been played. I was happy with how they played and represented Drexel during the weekend. It gave a few of the players a chance to play against players that they have not played during the season,” Coach White said.

Sophomore Fiona Power made it to the consolation semifinals of the Holleran Division South, but lost in a five set effort.

Senior Mary Fung-A-Fat, freshman Anna Hughes and junior Hayley Hughes also competed.

The individual championships closed out the 2016–17 season for the Dragons.

The Drexel University women’s squash team went 2-1 at the 2017 Kurtz Cup in Princeton, New Jersey Feb. 24 through Feb. 26.
Head coach John White talked about the importance of the team’s focus in being successful over the weekend.
“Their mental strength, sticking to their own game plan and not getting too frustrated were their biggest strengths during the weekend matches. They stayed focused from the very first point till the match was over. This is what got them the wins against two top teams, No. 11 Williams and No. 10 Brown, in the first 2 days.”
On Friday, Feb. 24, the women defeated the Williams College Ephs by a final of 5-4.
Juniors Hayley Hughes and Ryan Morgan and sophomore Fiona Power swept their opponents in the first, second and third spots.
The first position match decided the competition. The Dragons and the Ephs were tied at four when Hughes got the individual and team victory.
Freshman Anna Hughes and senior Mary Fung-A-Fat registered the other two wins for the Dragons.
The Dragons earned their second victory of the weekend against Brown University by a score of 5-4.
Morgan and Anna Hughes swept their opponents. Hayley Hughes and Fung-A-Fat defeated their opponents in four games, while Power fought for her victory in five games.
The Dragons moved onto the finals of the Kurtz Cup and faced off against Dartmouth University on Feb. 26.
Drexel suffered a tough loss to Dartmouth in the Kurtz Cup Finals, falling by a close count of 5-4.
Hayley Hughes, Anna Hughes, Ryan Morgan, and Fiona Power got the four wins for the Dragons.
“This weekend was the best weekend by far. To come out and play the way they did, after a very bumpy season and seeing their ranking drop as low as No. 16, was great to see and a wonderful achievement for the girls. I could not have asked for a better finish to the season,” coach White said.
The team will now prepare for individual championships, which will take place in Hanover, New Hampshire, March 3 through March 5.

The Drexel University men’s squash team went 1-2 in the 2017 Potter Cup. The Dragons dropped their first match in the quarterfinals by a score of 9-0 to Columbia University Feb. 17.

Sophomore Omar El Atmas, freshman Lucas Rousselet, junior Luke Willemse, junior Noel Solomon, freshman Mostafa Aboul Makarim, and junior Joshua Hughes were all swept by their Columbia opponents.

Sophomore Bransten Ming and junior Atticus Kelly lost their matches in four games. Senior Michael Thompson battled through a tough five game match but could not come out with the victory for the Dragons.

“They were a little nervous going into the match on Friday. Understandable as it was their first match in the Potter Cup. Obviously, the match did not go very well with a 9-0 loss start to the tournament. The guys were a little down after this match but had a good think, team dinner and re-grouped for their next match,”  Drexel head coach John White said.

The men’s team got their victory of the weekend over the Yale University Bulldogs on Saturday, Feb. 18 in a consolation match of the Potter Cup. The finals score was 5-4.

El Atmas, Ming, Thompson, Rousselet, and Kelly all got wins for Drexel.

El Atmas and Ming won their matches with great effort in five games. Thompson and Kelly won in four games over their Yale opponents. Rousselet swept his opponent in straight sets.

“Saturdays match against Yale was their best of the season by far. This was by far the do or die match to secure the team’s top six ranking and their best finish ever. They all came together and played great squash. It was exciting from start to finish, with Omar playing number one securing a very long match to win the fifth match for the team’s win. Very emotional and well deserved ‘W’ for the guys!” coach White said.

The Dragons dropped their final match of the Potter Cup 7-2 against the University of Rochester Feb. 19.

The two Drexel victories came courtesy of Rousselet and Willemse.

Thompson and Makarim put up a strong fight but could not finish for a win in five games against their Rochester opponents.

The Dragons will now look toward individual championships March 3-5 in Hanover, New Hampshire.

“The top 6 are having a few day’s rest as they will be the ones most likely heading to the individuals. It is back to the basics and playing as many matches as they can to keep on top of their game. The rankings will not be coming out for another few days so we will have to wait and see who will go or not,” Coach White said.

The Drexel University men’s and women’s squash teams finished their regular season off strong Feb. 10 and 12.
“This year’s team is stronger mentally than previous years. They are putting together the big points at the end of the games and matches and getting the wins against the top teams, something we could not do in previous seasons. They now believe in their own ability on the court,” head coach John White said.
The men’s team swept in both their weekend matches.
The team faced off against the George Washington University Colonials on Friday and defeated them 9-0.
Sophomore Omar El Atmas, sophomore Bransten Ming, freshman Lucas Rousselet, junior Luke Willemse, junior Noel Solomon, junior Joshua Hughes and junior Cillian Dunne all swept their opponents in three games.
In the third spot, senior Michael Thompson fought back to win his match in five games. He dropped the first two games, and then came back to win the next three and the match.
Freshman Mostafa Aboul Makarim defeated his George Washington opponent in four games.
On Saturday the Dragons swept Dickinson College at home at the Kline & Specter Squash Center.
Prior to the match, the team honored Thompson, the team’s senior team member.
In his final home match as a Dragon, Thompson defeated his opponent in the number three spot. He won in straight sets, sweeping his opponent.
El Atmas, Ming, Thompson, Rousselet, Solomon, Hughes, Raymond, and freshman Ben Mekdeci defeated their opponents in three games. Sophomore Will Grady finished off the ladder with a win in four games. Mekdeci’s victory was the first of his college career.
The team will now move on to the national championships, which will take place in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They will take on Columbia University in the first round Feb. 17.
The women’s team also won both their matches, defeating the Colonials 6-3.
Junior Hayley Hughes and senior Mary Fung-A-Fat swept their opponents in three games. Freshman Anna Hughes, sophomore Fiona Power, and senior Maria Diagama defeated their opponents in four games.
Senior Kaitlyn Money got the sixth win for Drexel of the day. She defeated her opponent in five games after trailing by two sets. The women went on to sweep Dickinson Feb. 12. Junior Ryan Morgan won her match in four games, while all the other Dragons won in three games.
The women’s team will continue on to play at nationals in Princeton, New Jersey, Feb. 24.
“Preparing just the same as a prep for the Potter Division National Championship as we have before every tough set of matches. Working on the basics and focusing on their own game and not worrying who steps on court with them. Not looking too far ahead, just one match at a time. Same teams as during the season, just at a different venue,” coach White said.

The Drexel University men’s and women’s squash teams traveled to upstate New York this past weekend to take on Cornell University Jan. 21, and Hobart and William Smith College Jan. 22.

Drexel’s women’s squash team, ranked 15 in the nation, split its matches over the weekend, beginning with an 8-1 loss to No. 8 Cornell.

The only Dragon win against the Big Red came due to a default in the fifth spot.

In the No. 1 position, junior Ryan Morgan fought hard through five games against Cornell’s Michele Garceau. Ryan dropped the first two games, then came back to win the third and the fourth. However, she could not hold on in the fifth game.

The Dragons bounced back from their loss on Saturday and swept the William Smith Herons the next day. After the weekend, the Dragons’ record improved to 4-8.

All nine Dragons won their matches against the Herons and eight of the nine swept their opponents in three games.

“The women are on a little low at the moment after seeing their ranking drop to 15. It is a minor setback that can be turned around with a win over Dartmouth this weekend. Our main goal this weekend is Dartmouth. Yale will be a good warm-up for them on the Friday to get their minds focused and game plans set for the more important match against Dartmouth,” coach John White said.

On the men’s side, Drexel won two out of their three matches on the road.

The men lost 6-3 against the Rochester University Yellowjackets Jan. 20.

Senior Michael Thompson, junior Luke Willemse, and freshman Mostafa Aboul Makarim all secured victories for the Dragons.

Thompson’s win in the fourth spot gave him a total of 50 career wins, making him the winningest Drexel squash player of all time.

Following the loss to Rochester, the Drexel men’s team defeated the Cornell Big Red 7-2 Jan. 21.

Sophomores Omar El Atmas and Bransten Ming swept their opponents in three games in the first and second spots.

Thompson, junior Atticus Kelly, Willemse,  junior Joshua Hughes, and Makarim all defeated their opponents to give Drexel seven wins for the day.

The Dragons won their second match of the weekend with a 9-0 sweep of the Hobart Statesmen Jan. 22, which improved Drexel’s record to 8-4.

The men will look to continue forward in a victorious manner as they face off against No. 4-ranked Yale .

“Players on the team need to realize the Yale players are just another player on court and not to look at them as better players just because they are higher ranked. The team has a very good chance of a victory if they go on and play their game from the very first point and also keeping the pressure on when they are in control,” coach White said.

The men and women will face off next against Yale University Jan. 27 and Dartmouth College Jan. 29, with both matches at home at the Kline & Specter Squash Center. Coach White thinks focusing on the basics will help take the team to another level.

“The men’s team will be doing the same at training this week, as they did last week for the Rochester/Cornell weekend, to prepare them for this weekend’s matches. Going back to the basics helped them a lot for last weekend’s matches so we will be sticking to the same training leading up to Yale.”

The Drexel University men’s and women’s squash teams struggled in their first matches of 2017, against Harvard University on Jan. 13.

The sixth-ranked Drexel men’s squash team was defeated by the fourth-ranked Harvard Crimson at home. The Dragons’ record is now 6-3 overall, while Harvard improved to 2-0.

The two wins for Drexel came from sophomore Omar El Atmas and Junior Luke Willemse.

Willemse defeated Dylan Murray in the sixth spot in a tough five-game battle, 11-7, 3-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-8.

El Atmas defeated his Harvard opponent, Saadeldin Abouaish, at the No.1 spot in four games.

In the seventh spot, Drexel junior Joshua Hughes put up a great effort against Bryan Koh in five games. Hughes had a 2-1 lead through three games, but dropped the last two.

The men return to action on the road in Rochester to take on the University of Rochester on Jan. 20.

Dragons’ head coach John White thinks that focus and mental toughness are important aspects of the road ahead.

“Rochester is another very tough team for the men. We have been working on the mental side of the game but also having the players go back and work on the basics. They are all playing well and need to realize that being in the top 8 is a different level of play than where they were last year. If they come to play and stay focused they are going to do very well.”

They will then travel to Cornell University on Jan. 21, and to Hobart and William Smith Colleges Jan. 22.

On the women’s side, the No. 14-ranked Dragons were swept by No. 1-ranked Harvard. Drexel’s overall record fell to 2-6, while Harvard improved to 2-0. The Dragons were defeated in all spots in straight games.

Drexel’s women’s team will look to come off the loss strong in their upcoming matches. They will face No. 8 Cornell on the road.

“Cornell is always a very tough team that you can never underestimate. Having the players concentrate on their own game plan from the very first point and put the pressure on their opponents early on is the key for both teams. It is going to be a very exciting weekend for the Dragons,” coach White said.

The number nine ranked Drexel University men’s squash team swept the No. 18 Williams College Ephs Saturday Dec. 3. With the win, the Dragon’s extended their win streak to four and improved their record to 6-2.

In five of the nine matches, the Dragons swept their opponents. Sophomore Omar El Atmas defeated Will Means in the second spot. Senior Michael Thompson, junior Luke Willemse, and junior Joshua Hughes swept their opponents in the fourth, fifth and sixth spots, respectively. Junior Noel Solomon delivered a sweep in the eighth spot.

The rest of the Dragons won their matches in four games. Freshman Lucas Rousselet and junior Cillian Dunne bounced back after losing their first game to win in four.

The men’s team will host No. four ranked Harvard University to kick off the 2017 portion of their season at the Kline & Specter Squash Center Jan. 13.

The Drexel University women’s squash team was not able to come away with a win against the Ephs to finish out the 2016 portion of their season. The No. 14 Dragons fell to the No. 11 Ephs 7-2.

The two Drexel victories were courtesy of junior Hayley Hughes and senior Mary Fung-A-Fat. They both swept their opponents in three games in the second and third
spots, respectively.

The women will host No. 1 Harvard Jan. 13.

The Drexel University men’s squash team opened their 2016-17 season in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The No.9 ranked Dragons defeated the No.13 ranked Franklin & Marshall College Diplomats 9-0 Nov. 15.

Sophomore Bransten Ming led the Dragons in the first spot for Drexel. He dropped his first match, 6-11, but came back to win 3-2.

In the No.2 spot, Omar El Atmas beat his opponent, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5.

Drexel freshman, Lucas Rousselet, stepped up in the third spot and swept Franklin & Marshall’s Shams Abbas.

Senior Michael Thompson, junior Luke Willemse, and junior Cillian Dunne each swept their opponent in three games in the fourth, fifth, and ninth spot respectively.

Two new team members, junior Joshua Hughes and freshman Mostafa Aboul Makarim, along with junior Noel Solomon earned wins to finish a complete sweep for the Dragons.

The Drexel women also opened their regular season Nov. 15 in Lancaster against the Diplomats. The No. 14 ranked Diplomats swept the No. 10 ranked Dragons 9-0.

Junior Ryan Morgan, sophomore Kathryn Bottger, senior Kristine Giltvedt and junior Jennifer White were all swept in three games by their Franklin & Marshall opponents in the first, fifth, eighth and ninth spot respectively.
 
In the No.2, No. 3 and No. 7 spots, senior Mary Fung-A-Fat, sophomore Fiona Power and senior Kaitlyn Money dropped their sets in four matches.

Sophomore Apoorva Addepalli fought hard through five games and lost in a tough defeat. Addepalli dropped the first two games then came back to tie it and lost in the fifth game 20-18.

Senior Maria Diagama also lost in a tough five game set in the sixth spot.

The men’s team won its second match 7-2 against the United States Naval Academy Nov. 16.