Squash was invented around the 1830s in England, where a group of people noticed that once a rubber ball was struck by a racket and hit the ground it looked “squashed”. The concept of then hitting the ball against the wall came from London’s Fleet Prison, where inmates had nothing else to do. And ever since then the sport has continued to flourish across the world, beyond the confines of prison walls.
Here at Concord Academy, Nina Sciacca, a freshman and team manager of the Girls Varsity Squash Team, describes the team as having great energy and cultivating a kind and supportive environment. This dynamic is crucial, especially when the team has such a wide variety of experience in the sport. From inexperienced freshmen to remarkable upperclassmen who know the ins and outs of the sport, the team has a lot of stories to tell.
Squash is an individual sport where players are literally isolated from their teammates; they play in a box with their opponent and no one else. However, the squash team ensures that everyone can play to their highest potential even without the captains' or other players' vocal support during matches. Sciacca explains that, “The players take advantage of practice by giving each other tips and cheering each other on, helping build community.” Aanya Desai ’29, a player on the team, furthers this point by stating, “I think it’s a really awesome community full of amazing people… I love participating in games and supporting the team.” The captains, Ashley Yu ’26, Flora Xu ’27, and Livia Barrozo ’26, have done a tremendous job leading their team with both their experience with the sport and their leadership.
So far, the squash team has been off to a strong start, winning their first match against Pomfret on December 5. This game was heavily supported by Concord Academy faculty, staff, and their kids, who cheered them on and boosted team morale. When asked about the team’s future success, Sciacca firmly stated, “They will do great because everyone on the team plays so well and tries so hard.”
At the team’s upcoming games, the players are hoping for even more students to come out and support. The rallies and fast-paced actions involved in the sport make it highly entertaining for all audiences. This winter, support the Girls Squash Team as they continue their success in the Eastern Independent League and beyond!