On familiar court at the White Oaks Resort, the Brock Badgers competed at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Women's Squash Championship from Friday, Feb. 9 to Sunday, Feb. 11.
The Badgers won one match over the weekend, besting the Ottawa Gee-Gees 4-3 in a rematch from last year's seventh-place match.
"Both teams fought hard all weekend, and there were some tremendous rookie wins," said head coach Matt Easingwood. "There is lots of depth and returning players on both teams. We have lots to look forward to next year."
To start off the tournament on Day 1, the Badgers went up against the eventual bronze medalist Western Mustangs and fourth-place finishing McMaster Marauders. In the first contest, the Badgers dropped a 7-0 decision before falling to the Marauders by a score of 6-1. Destiny Paquin won the lone contest for the Badgers, besting Alisa Godovanny in a thrilling five-set match (11-9, 4-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8).
In their final round robin contest, the Badgers dropped the match 5-2 to the Guelph Gryphons. Addie Hambly secured a massive comeback five-set win (10-12, 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9) over Sara Begovic, and Paquin won her second match of the weekend, sweeping Sybille Hamilton (13-11, 11-8, 12-10).
On Saturday afternoon, the Badgers took a 7-0 loss to the Toronto Varsity Blues in the consolation semifinal.
The Badgers had the night to regroup as they prepared for the seventh-place match. In one of the tightest matchups of the weekend, Brock came out victorious over Ottawa 4-3.
Paquin won her third match of the championship to get the Badgers started. Maryam Nafea and Hambly won their respective matches to put Brock up 3-0 early. Allison MacPhail sealed the team win for the Badgers, securing the win in five sets (9-11, 13-11, 11-8, 12-14, 11-6) over Sophia Mourcos. Jennie Rankin and Julie Do dropped close individual matches, both losing in a closely contested five sets.
The championship was won by Queen's University in a thrilling 4-3 match with the Waterloo Warriors. Third place went to the host Western Mustangs.
Easingwood and the Badgers are hoping this experience will help the young squad prepare to move up the standings in 2025.
