Colby Women's Squash Sweeps Rival 9-0 on Senior Day

Four seniors walked onto the court for their final home match at Colby, and they left no doubt about their legacy with a commanding 9-0 sweep over rival Bates.

The Mules controlled the NESCAC showdown from start to finish in Waterville, Maine, dropping just two games across all nine matches. Seniors Nat Sim, Abhisheka David, Amanda Miller, and Laavanya Kugan each secured victories, ensuring their Senior Day ended in celebration.

The younger players set the tone early. Freshman Gigi McWhorter delivered a statement performance, holding her opponent scoreless in two of three games and finishing with an 11-0 shutout in one.

Sophomore Haley Coon matched that intensity with her own 11-0 game in a straight-set win. The early momentum gave Colby a cushion the team never relinquished.

At the top position, senior captain Laavanya Kugan showed championship composure. After dropping the first game 9-11, she stormed back to win three straight, including a decisive 11-3 fourth game that sealed her final home victory.

Sophomore Maggie Motch displayed the kind of mental toughness coaches dream about. She lost her opening game 12-14 but refused to fold, grinding out a tight 13-11 second game before dominating the final two games 11-5 and 11-2.

Sophomore Tori Thill delivered perhaps the day's most thrilling moment. Facing a 5-10 deficit in the third game, she rallied to complete a straight-set victory and secure Colby's sixth win of the afternoon.

Why This Inspires

Sports often teach us about perseverance, but this match showed something deeper. The seniors didn't just win their final home matches. They competed with joy, supporting teammates from the sidelines between their own victories.

The younger players rose to the occasion too, proving that a winning culture gets passed down through mentorship and shared commitment. When McWhorter held her opponent scoreless in two games, she was channeling the excellence the seniors had modeled all season.

Colby's sweep wasn't just about individual talent. It reflected a team that values every position equally, where the ninth player matters as much as the first.

The Mules face Bowdoin tomorrow in the College Squash Association Match of the Week, competing for the inaugural Maine Championship Weekend title with momentum firmly on their side.