AGNES IRWIN SQUASH TEAM 2023-24 INTER-AC CHAMPIONS
(Photo courtesy Agnes Irwin Athletics)
ROSEMONT, PA--It’s been five years in the making and on Jan. 31 the Agnes Irwin Owls captured the Inter-Ac Championship in an 8-1 victory against Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.
The Owls went undefeated all season. The title match displayed a solid performance from Freshmen Torie Oliver (9), Charlotte Green (8), Beatrice Bullitt (5), Isla Matuch (4) all winning 3-0.
Sophomores Lucy Pierce (3) showcased speed and intensity with a 3-0 victory along with teammate Gabby Glaser who made history for her family by securing the title following in the footsteps of her siblings Caroline ’18 and Devon ’22.
Junior Audrey Gelinas (2) won a competitive match with an amazing comeback in all three games.
Senior Amelie Matuch (5), a Bowdoin College commit, won her match 3-0.
The highlight of the match was from senior and Georgetown University commit Cecilia Curran. Curran played an incredible 5-game match lasting 45 minutes. This was the sole win for Springside Chestnut Hill and one of the best matches of the day, showing top notch squash skills and intense competitive spirit on both sides of the court.
Head coach Fabio Cechin has been the director of the Agnes Irwin squash program since 2020. In 2022, Cechin led the Middle School team to national championship titles in Division l and ll for the first time in school history. The Owls varsity program continued its competitive force finishing fourth in High School Nationals in 2022 and last season the team came in third.
Agnes Irwin senior captain Amelie Matuch. (Photo/ Agnes Irwin Athletics)
Agnes Irwin senior captain Cici Curran. (Photo/ Agnes Irwin Athletics)
“These achievements not only reflect their exceptional skill but also underline the program's strength,” said Cechin. “Year in and year out we have been very strong, and we compete against some of the top teams in the country every week. To win the Inter-Ac Championship this year is a testament to the hard work and perseverance of the players.”
Agnes Irwin Squash Team celebrates Inter-Ac Championship Title win. (Photo/ Agnes Irwin Athletics)
When asked to talk about his key players, Cechin could not just mention a few.
“Our seniors and captains, Amelie Matuch and Cici Curran, have been pillars for the team. They have worked tirelessly to be prepared for this moment.
I can't just talk about a couple of players though; I need to highlight the entire team because our strength lies in our depth. Our freshmen (Tori Oliver, Charlotte Green, Beatrice Bullitt, Isa Matuch) and sophomores (Lucy Pierce, Gabby Glaser, Emily Peltier, Mia Greenly Middle School National Champions in 2022, and their impact on the team is undeniable. Maya Soldatovich joined Agnes Irwin this year and has been an amazing addition. Junior Audrey Gelinas has played a key role, securing important wins in the number 2 spot for the team this season,” said Cechin.
According to Cechin, each player brought a unique personality and quality to the team creating a diverse and cohesive unit.
“Without all these amazing players, we couldn't have become Inter-ac Champions,” said Cechin.
Cechin also lauded his assistant coaches Peter Stokes and Rose Lawrence for their guidance and commitment and expressed gratitude for the Agnes Irwin Athletic Department and school for their support.
The Owls are not done yet, they are getting ready to compete once again on the national stage as fourth seed in the 2024 U.S High School Squash Championships.
The 2023-24 Agnes Irwin Inter-Ac Champion Team. (Photo/ Zamani Feelings)
The tournament will take place this weekend Feb. 23-25th in Philadelphia at the Arlen Spector US Squash Center.