As a follow up to the Boys Varsity match against Lawrenceville, both the JV and Varsity programs traveled to another one of the premier HS Squash Programs in the U.S., Brunswick School in Greenwich, CT. With one of the best facilities in the country and a long standing of producing excellent college squash players with styles of play centered on discipline, conditioning, poise, and intensity, the Poly Boys JV and Varsity teams had an invaluable learning experience playing and competing against the program early in the season. While the Boys JV struggled against the pressure and fell 0-7, the Boys Varsity, competing against Brunswick’s second team, the “B” squad (that is currently ranked # 10 in the country) built off of its performance at Lawrenceville and played one of the best matches I’ve coached in my 3 years at Poly Prep. The Boys Varsity eventually succumbed 1-6, but, had its chances to win the team match, with inspiring, patient, and mature play up and down its line-up.
With a notable and comfortable 3-0 victory from Freshman # 1 standout, Yehia Essam, the team was on the scoreboard with an early 1-0 lead. Meanwhile at # 3, Freshman Will Cembalest played his best squash in a Poly uniform thus far and battled Bruswick’s captain, Henry Haig to the very end, by displaying great racquet skill, shot selection, and spin before falling by two points in the deciding 5th game. Similarly, at # 5, Junior, Vincent Giovinazzo had match balls and opportunities to win by being on the offense and dictating the pace of play throughout his entire match against Brunswick’s outstanding retriever before falling in overtime in the 5th game. Across the lineup, the Poly team showed that they have the skill and talent, though, not quite the experience, confidence, and fitness yet to defeat the very best schools in HS squash. We do, however look forward to a potential rematch at the HS Nationals after many more weeks of practice.
The experience of playing both Lawrenceville and Brunswick also has motivated and empowered the team as it fought through traffic to play very intimidating and impressive opponents that will undoubtedly benefit the team in the matches to come.
Results: Boys Varsity
- Yehia Essam def. Andrew Monroe 11-5, 8, 5
- Chris Hurt def. Nate Johnson 9-11, 12-10, 11-6, 5
- Henry Haig def. Will Cembalest 11-9, 8-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9
- Kevin Bradicich def. Sam Chudner 9-11, 11-7, 9, 5
- Drew Peisch def. Vincent Giovinazzo 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 3-11, 13-11
- Henry Sall def. Will Eckstein 11-6, 9, 4
- Tommy Rosenkronz def. Abe Etkin 11-8, 6, 6
Exhibitions: Ryan Cloobeck def. John Lennon 11-5, 7, 6
Results: Boys JV
- Charlie Cassoli def. John Fischer 11-3, 9, 6
- Jackson Reynolds def. Thanassi Stratigakis 11-8, 4, 4
- Kyle Chen def. Garon Rothenberg 11-3, 5, 7
- George Clark def. Paul Tocci 11-0, 2, 3
- David Ruf def. Brian Harney 11-2, 6, 6
- Chris Peisch def. John Donigan 11-1, 7, 4
- John Rose def. Max Akselrod 11-6, 5, 7
