The varsity squash team took home a 6-3 victory over rival and defending Inter-Ac champion Episcopal Academy on January 30th to clinch the 2024-2025 Inter-Ac title.
This triumph, in the biggest match of the season, comes as a perfect farewell gift for Sixth Form captains Jamie Stait, Devon Li, and Xan Matuch, after the team lost the title last year in a thrilling, yet heartbreaking 5-4 showdown.
Stait said, “I think that this was the pinnacle of our season. The match really brought together the hard work we put in and the dedication that we have brought to training this season. We had eighth graders to seniors competing, and it took everyone’s effort to reach that goal. It was one of the best days in my Haverford squash career and I’m thankful to have been able to spend it with this group of teammates.”
“On the day, I was really impressed with how the boys dealt with the pressure and even the ones that didn’t win their matches executed their gameplans and made it tough for our opponents.”
Coach Alex Stait
Head Coach Alex Stait reinforced Stait’s sentiments, expressing his satisfaction with the team’s hard work and accomplishments this season thus far.
“The main goal of our season has been to recapture the Inter-Ac. We narrowly beat Episcopal in the last match in the final of MASA and knew that the match this time around would be a 50/50 contest,” Coach Stait said. “On the day, I was really impressed with how the boys dealt with the pressure, and even the ones that didn’t win their matches executed their gameplans and made it tough for our opponents. Winning MASA and the Inter-Ac is a huge achievement and just reward for all the players, especially the three captain seniors who have been outstanding performers over the years for the team.”
Still, the work for this Fords team is not yet complete.
Li said, “The job isn’t finished. The next goal is a national title or at least a strong showing on the biggest stage in high school squash.”
The Fords squash program now sets its sights on the National Championships in February, where they expect to be a top-eight seed.
