Hi everyone! I'm Tess, and I live 30 minutes outside of London. I love everything Dartmouth, including the sunsets, the traditions, the classes, and the merch. I'm super excited to experience everything I read about in this blog over the next four years. Come along with me as I explore the ins and outs of life in the woods.
A course that definitely surprised me, I did not know what to expect and had very little philosophical knowledge before taking this course. It was a mixture of current and past readings, with the final project to make a group video, testing my technological ability. Professor Bumpus was amazing, and I got to know her more when I took her to breakfast at Pine through the Take Your Professor to Lunch Program.
I was recommended to take a history course, specifically a history course with Professor Lu, and it has not disappointed! This course is cross listed with Asian Studies, my major, but it has made me consider a history minor... We start every class off with a song relating to the topic of that class, and then we move on to discussion based activities.
Having interviewed Zeynep (basketball), and Anthony (football), the next sport in this athlete series is squash. Maya '28, from Toronto, Canada is a player for Dartmouth Squash. Maya went to boarding school in Connecticut, where she decided to pursue squash at a collegiate level and plays position "four"; she also plays for Team Canada. Maya is undecided, but considering a major in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE).
So, let's get on to some questions:
1. What first drew you to squash, and how did you decide to play at the collegiate level?
I started playing squash when I was six years old, following in the footsteps of my older brother and sister who also played squash at a competitive, high level. I immediately fell in love with the game—squash is heavily driven by strategy and players must outsmart their opponent to be able to outmanoeuvre them. As squash has been a huge part of my life for most of my life, naturally, playing squash in college was the dream, and specifically playing Division 1. My experience with the Dartmouth squash team has been amazing.
2. What was the most exciting or challenging match of the season for you?
As we are ranked #11, one of the most crucial matches of the season was against #12 Tufts. Since this was near the beginning of the season, I was still trying to find my groove on the court. This match was a breakthrough for me—I felt like I found myself on the court and I was really able to comfortably apply my skills. It was a challenging match and that's what made it exciting for me—having to zone in and assert dominance in their home court.
3. How does the level of competition in college squash compare to what you've experienced before?
College squash athletes are comprised of the best players in junior squash from across the world. The level of maturity in these players and skill is remarkable and they all certainly make for challenging competitors. The precision and accuracy required for success in college squash differs significantly from junior and high school squash.
Action shot!
4. What was the biggest lesson you've learned from competing at this level?
One of the biggest lessons I've learned from competing at this level is self-belief. I've learned the importance of trusting the work I've put in, being confident in my game, and trusting myself on the court.
5. How would you describe the team dynamic and culture?
The squash team at Dartmouth is incredibly supportive. We fight on the court to win not only for ourselves but for our team and the school that we love. The team pushes each other to be the best versions of ourselves. At the end of the day, we're all in this together, we celebrate our wins, pick each other up when things don't go as we wanted them to, and together we always bounce back.
6. What's a typical week of training like for the Dartmouth squash team?
In season, we train for approximately 2 hours on court for 6 days a week. Additionally, in a week we have two to three one-hour lift sessions. The coaches are also incredibly supportive and offer extra court time for one-on-one sessions during the week to sharpen skills up.
7. How do you balance academics with the demands of training and competing?
Balancing academics with the demands of training and competing can definitely be challenging, but I've found that staying organized and being intentional about my time makes a big difference. I usually start each week by creating a daily schedule, where I block out time for both studying and training. This helps me stay on track and get done what needs to get done. With 14 years of practice balancing school and squash, it starts to feel manageable.
8. What's your favorite part about being a student-athlete at Dartmouth?
My favorite part about being a student-athlete at Dartmouth is the support from the community at Dartmouth on and off the court. Home games are really special to me because friends, family, professors, and alumni come to cheer us on as we battle on court. It's truly an honor to be able to represent Dartmouth academically and athletically.
9. How has being on the squash team shaped your overall college experience?
When I committed to Dartmouth I was told that I was going to be a part of the Dartmouth Squash family, and I didn't really know what that entailed until I got to campus. I quickly came to realize that I can rely on my coaches and teammates to be there for me on and off the court. Being on the squash team is special because we're a small, therefore close-knit team, and every teammate adds so much value. We wouldn't be Dartmouth Squash without each of our coaches and teammates.
Fun on and off the court!
10. What do you hope to accomplish with the team in the seasons ahead?
In the seasons ahead I hope that, as a team, we can climb up the ranks nationally. We are a strong, hardworking team with so much talent and passion. Additionally, we are so fortunate to have phenomenal coaches, and I know with their support we are on our way to becoming one of the best in the seasons ahead.
Game Day (- Tess)
I frequently attend home squash games to support the team. I have pretty much gotten the hang of the rules, although the games move very fast. I am already looking forward to next season!
