Not many teams at Harvard hold nine consecutive Ivy League Championships, yet the women’s squash team makes it look effortless year after year. One of the most high-achieving and consistent teams on campus, this standout group should be on everyone’s radar as they head into the final stages of the season and the College Squash Association Team National Championships.
Harvard women’s squash has consistently proved they are the Ivy League standard. While many may argue that squash is an individual sport, the Harvard women’s team has shown this is not true. “Everyone has individual ways of getting ready, but the team manages to come together,” Captain Brecon Welch ’25 said, confidently highlighting the united nature of the team throughout competitions.
The team’s recent Ivy League title pays tribute to the strength of their roster, with the team demonstrating their squad depth throughout the season. They delivered a convincing performance, pushing ahead of Princeton 5-0 after the first five games. At this point, the team was on pace to be champions.
Saran Nghiem ’26 pushed Harvard to victory with her Ivy League title-clinching game. After previously losing to her Princeton opponent in the College Squash Association Individual National Championships only a week before, where various Harvard athletes competed individually, Nghiem said, “I was really gunning for it, We have always had a big rivalry. I was super excited to be on the court.” It was a moment of excitement and community as teammates, friends, and supporters began gathering during Nghiem’s third game to celebrate the final seconds. A calm, professional performance topped off an impressive undefeated Ivy League season.
Reflecting on the season so far, it is clear that the Crimson returners were using frustrating memories of Princeton’s victory the previous year as fuel and momentum. “The freshman came in with new energy, And the team was wanting revenge. There was fire under us for the whole of preseason and training,” Welch said. This energy from the three first years contributed to countless outstanding performances against strong opponents.
Other key highlights from the season include a hard-fought victory against Stanford, which, after cutting their program in 2021, has prioritized recruiting. This triumph over a rebuilding Stanford program was a necessary win and confidence boost for the start of the season. “It was great to win from that position,” Welch said. The game was held in New York to coincide with the Pro Tournament, where professional and club athletes, including some Harvard alumni, were invited to compete in a separate major competition. As a result, alumni came to show their support for Harvard in their match-up with Stanford, paying tribute to the history and success of Harvard’s squash program. This camaraderie has been a cornerstone of this Harvard team’s success—past and present—as the ongoing support from previous athletes reminds current players of the importance of every match.
The team’s recent 9-0 victory over No. 10 Drexel concluded a thrilling regular season. The team celebrated its seniors and their career-long contributions to Harvard squash. The team heads into the postseason as the top-ranked team, with four All-Ivy Honors and the Coaching Staff of the Year Award.
The unity between the men’s and women’s squash teams has been integral to these successful years as both teams share coaches and their seasons overlap. “[We are] lucky to have guys and girls [teams] together,” Nghiem said. The players have created a tightly knit culture that has contributed to both teams’ consistency and success. Regular team meals and long training days spent together create a strong community for both teams while preparing for competitions. The consistency and culture of these teams have been a major factor in the women’s squash team’s success year after year.
Now, as the team gets ready for nationals at the top of the rankings, their initial motivation from preseason and confidence from the Ivy League Championship will lead to an exciting final dance. “A national championship is in the cards,” said Nghiem. The team will head to Philadelphia at the beginning of March. Fine-tuning and focusing on minor adjustments is the focus whilst preparing to become national champions, solidifying the Harvard women’s squash dynasty.
Tilly Butterworth ’28 (mbutterworth@college.harvard.edu) is comping the Harvard Independent.