For the second consecutive year, Harvard Squash Club traveled to Philadelphia's Arlen Specter Squash Center to compete in the CSA Club Nationals, held from February 14-16. Seeded second in Division 3, the team entered the tournament with high expectations—and they delivered.

A Strong Start

Harvard opened the tournament with a commanding 8-1 victory over the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The squad's No. 2 through No. 9 players all secured decisive wins, many closing out their matches in just three quick games.

The team carried that momentum into the semifinals, where they faced Washington and Lee University in a tense battle. With the overall match score tied at 4-4, Club President Daniel Hochberg stepped onto the court for a decisive showdown. After an intense 40-minute match, Hochberg emerged victorious, clinching a 5-4 win and a spot in the championship final.

The Championship Match: A Season-Defining Battle

On Sunday, Harvard met their crosstown rival, Boston University, in the Division 3 title match. Earlier in the season, BU had edged out Harvard, but this time, the team was determined to turn the tables. In another nail-biting contest, freshman Ocean Feng secured the final match, sealing a 5-4 victory and what appeared to be a championship title.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, Harvard was informed by the tournament director that two matches would have to be defaulted due to a lineup error, impacting the final standings. Despite this setback, the team finished the weekend with an undefeated 3-0 record, placing 18th overall in the national rankings. With one more match against BU on the schedule, Harvard Squash Club is eager to settle the season series once and for all. The team continues to train and compete at a high level, building on the energy from Nationals.

About Harvard Squash Club

Harvard Squash Club  welcomes players of all skill levels and holds annual tryouts for those interested in joining the match team. The team practices twice a week, on Wednesday and Sunday evenings, and actively engages with the broader Boston squash community, offering coaching, mentorship, and league play opportunities.

Want to get involved? Email harvardclubsquash@gmail.com to learn more!