Vassar Class of 32

Vassar Class of '32 2005
Poughkeepsie, NY, USA, $24k

06-Feb: Final:

[1] Natalie Grainger (Usa) bt [5] Madeline Perry (Irl)
7-9, 5-9, 9-3, 9-2, 9-1

The Icing on the cake
Jane Parker reports from Vassar

A week ago 26 women set out to take the WISPA Vassar Class of 1932 title. Today bore witness to a magnificent 5 game final. There were countless quality rallies as Natalie Grainger and Madeline Perry went head to head. There were disputed calls, even a burst ball, and referee Wayne Smith didn't seem to curry favour with either player. This final was the perfect ending to what had been a wonderful week of international squash.

Perry starts strong
Perry didn't want to have to do what she had done in the semi-final just 24 hours earlier. She'd fought back from two-love down to take a great match 3-2. So the Irish number one quickly got into her stride early and put Grainger on the back foot. Good deep shots were standard for Perry in the opener. Meanwhile, Grainger struggled with her depth. To her credit, Grainger saved 4 game balls before being downed 9-7 in the first.

In the second game, after a couple of points, Grainger looked to have lost a third point when she struck the ball into the tin. She complained that the ball was damaged. After inspection, referee Smith agreed, and a let was ordered. This upset Perry, and considerable discussion took place. The point was replayed. A number of other lets were argued, and one felt that the Irish woman was not having things go her way. But Grainger was generous with her unforced errors, and Perry took the second 9-5.

But Grainger's turn to comeback
Both players came out for the third with guns blazing. Grainger found her length, and now her drop shot to the front left corner was causing Perry problems.

Perry's mobility was severely hampered by tendonitis in her right knee, and that she was not moving well. This coupled with the improved shot making of Grainger was to prove crucial. Grainger took the third 9-3. When Perry fell behind in the fourth 5-0, she seemed to start saving herself for the inevitable fifth.

For the deciding game, Perry was definitely pumped and energized. But Grainger now was on a roll. Perry wasn't able to reach a couple of drop shots, and once she was 4-1 down, the climb was just too steep. Grainger took the fifth 9-1 and with it the title.

Both players had produced a host of remarkable shots throughout. It was a fitting final to conclude the tournament.

DRAW

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2004 Event

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Photos by:
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©2005 SquashSite

Isabelle's Vassar Adventure

Vassar Class of '32 2005 Poughkeepsie, NY, USA, $24k
Round One Feb 03	Quarters Feb 04	Semis Feb 05	Final Feb 06
[1] Natalie Grainger (Usa) 9-4, 9-0, 9-2 [Q] Katie Patrick (Can)	Natalie Grainger 9-4, 9-3, 9-7 Pamela Nimmo	Natalie Grainger 9-4, 5-9, 9-1, 9-0 Omneya Abdel Kawy	Natalie Grainger 7-9, 5-9, 9-3, 9-2, 9-1 Madeline Perry
[6] Pamela Nimmo (Sco) 9-1, 9-6, 9-5 Eman El Amir (Egy)
[3] Omneya Abdel Kawy (Egy) 9-4, 9-7, 9-4 Kasey Brown (Aus)	Omneya Abdel Kawy 9-5, 9-7, 0-9, 9-6 Laura Lengthorn
[8] Laura Lengthorn (Eng) 9-6, 9-4, 9-2 [Q] Manuela Manetta (Ita)
[Q] Suzie Pierrepont (Eng) 9-4, 9-2, 3-9, 7-9, 9-6 [7] Latasha Khan (Usa)	Latasha Khan 9-6, 9-5, 9-6 Isabelle Stoehr	Isabelle Stoehr 1-9, 0-9, 9-6, 9-6, 9-3 Madeline Perry
Melissa Martin (Aus) 6-9, 9-6, 9-0, 2-9, 9-4 [4] Isabelle Stoehr (Fra)
[Q] Louisa Hall (Usa) 9-5, 9-0, 9-2 [5] Madeline Perry (Irl)	Madeline Perry 9-5, 9-0, 10-9 Fiona Geaves
Heidi Mather (Aus) 4-9, 9-2, 9-1, 9-7 [2] Fiona Geaves (Eng)

Qualifying:

FINALS (02-Feb):
Katie Patrick (Can) bt Lily Lorentzen (USA)            9-3, 9-0, 9-3
Louisa Hall (USA) bt Tara Mullins (Can)                  9-1, 9-1, 9-2
Manuella Manetta (Ita) bt Jana Smeralova (Cze)   9-6, 9-1, 5-9, 9-5)
Suzie Pierrepont (Eng) bt Marnie Baizley (Can)         9-2, 4-9, 9-5, 10-9

First Round:
Lily Lorentzen (USA) bt Jemma Saxby (Aus)             9-6, 9-1, 9-1
Louisa Hall (USA) bt Lisa Camilleri (Aus)                   9-6, 9-7, 5-9, 9-4

REPORTS

05-Feb : Semi Finals

[1] Natalie Grainger (USA) bt [3] Omneya Abdel Kawy (Egy)
9/4, 5/9, 9/1, 9/0

[5] Madeline Perry (Irl) bt [4] Isabelle Stoehr (Fra)
1/9, 0/9, 9/6, 9/6, 9/3

Grainger & Perry in
Poughkeepsie final ...
Jane Parker reports from Vassar

If the final, to be played tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. in Vassar's Kenyon Hall, comes even close to the standard of the two semifinals played today, then all are in for a treat. In fact, English Rugby supporters would have done better to skip Cardiff and get real value for money in Poughkeepsie!

Grainger takes control

Tournament number one seed Natalie Grainger, won the battle of the African born players as she defeated Egypt's Omneya Abdel Kawy in a great four game match. Grainger, South African born but now a USA resident, was able to anticipate the often tricky stroke play of Kawy, keeping plenty of pace on the ball to win the first game in outstanding fashion.

But a full house was thrilled when Kawy took the second 9-1, and it was game on. However, Grainger regrouped and moved the Egyptian around the court constantly, taking the third 9-1. She took no prisoners in the fourth, running out an emphatic winner 9-0.

Natalie Grainger bt Omneya Abdel Kawy 9-4, 5-9, 9-1, 9-0

Perry stages comeback

Madeline Perry, the Irish number one, had defeated second seed Fiona Geaves yesterday. After she fell two games behind against Isabelle Stoehr in the semi-final, one began to wonder if she was suffering a let down.

Stoehr dominated, winning those early games 9-1 and 9-0. But a magnificient comeback was to be witnessed, as Perry won the next three games to take the match! Perry had been nervous about a knee injury and played somewhat tentatively, but once she was warmed up, she kept the ball deep and prolonged the rallies. Most impressive was her mental discipline in coming back from so far down.

Madeline Perry bt Isabelle Stoehr 1-9, 0-9, 9-6, 9-6, 9-3

DRAW

REPORTS

2004 Event

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Photos by:
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©2005 SquashSite

Isabelle's Vassar Adventure

Isabelle's Vassar Adventure ...
Isabelle Stoehr in Poughkeepsie

The adventure stops there, unfortunately, and painfully…

I was up 9/1, 9/0, playing very well, well on the T, good length, good volleying, varying the pace, moving Madeline to the front after having worked her hard in the back. Everything was fine. I was leading 2/0 rather easily.

I stepped into the third thinking “OK, stay focused, you keep on playing the same way no matter what, forget the first two games”. She seems a bit lost, and suddenly, she goes for every shot. Looking at the score, she seems to say “Oh well, I don’t have anything to lose…” The game becomes tighter, I’m less present on the T, I get tense, lose my length, but still I try and tighten the game. After all, I’m leading 2/0. The more we go, the more I’m tense… The rallies last and last, the game is getting tense. I eventually lose 9/6.

I say to myself “Ok, no panic, you are still leading, just take the control back, apply your game plan, no panic...”

The fourth is at the same pace, but even tighter. She leads 4/2, I catch back, she leads 6/5, I get to 6/6. I wasn’t able to lead in the game, I get more and more tense, as I see the match slipping through my fingers, unforced errors, my lengths stop at the serve box. She is taking more and more confidence in her game, I lose mine, I lose the plot, and the game 9/6.

In the last game, my mind just went, she had the control, I couldn’t do anything but lose point after point… I tried to find the style of game that allow me to win the first two games, I tried to tell myself “go for the shots, let go, relax no matter the score, try and find your length”, but it was too late, I could never catch back… I lose 9/3.

I’m so disappointed. Winning so easily and losing in five should be forbidden by law… It’s not the first time it's happened to me, but this time was for a place in the final…

I’ve learnt from it, it’s a good experience, but there are moment where frustration is just too overwhelming… When you think that you could have done so much better than what is written on the score sheet…

I’m staying to watch the final, then back home to Manchester on Monday, then, Mother Land for our Nationals in Rennes the following weekend. But before, a few days of rest after these five weeks in America (Apawamis, Greenwich, Dayton & Vassar).

So, the adventure stops here tonight, but hopefully, another one will start soon, perhaps one even more beautiful …

Fram, I know you are in my town in Manchester for the British Nationals, so enjoy your week…

See you very soon,
Isabelle Stoehr

04-Feb : Quarter Finals

[1] Natalie Grainger (USA) bt [6] Pamela Nimmo (Sco)
        9/4, 9/3, 9/7
[3] Omneya Abdel Kawy (Egy) bt [8] Laura Lengthorn (Eng)
        9/5, 9/7, 0/9, 9/6
[4] Isabelle Stoehr (Fra) bt [7] Latasha Khan (Usa)
       9/6, 9/5, 9/6
[5] Madeline Perry (Irl) bt [2] Fiona Geaves (Eng)
       9/5, 9/0, 10/9

Perry Foils Fiona
in Poughkeepsie ...
Jane Parker reports from Vassar

Top seed Natalie Grainger advanced to the semifinals of the Vassar Class of '32 where she will meet Egypt's Omneya Abdel Kawy. The other semifinal will feature France's Isabelle Stoehr and Ireland's Madeline Perry, who produced the upset of the tournament with a near-flawless display to oust the number 2 seed Fiona Geaves.

Perry's Perfect Match
Madeline Perry put together the perfect match to upset the world's number 12 ranked player Fiona Geaves. Perry, with a world ranking of 14, used some excellent shot selection and kept pace on the ball. This was in direct contrast to Geaves who favoured a slower pace reliant on shot making.

The crowd was taken aback when the first game went Perry's way 9-5, and there was a real buzz in the air when Geaves fell further behind after an emphatic 9-0 second game. The third provided some nail-biting rallies as Geaves came back from 6-0 down to lead 7-6, saving two match points before finally succumbing 10-9.

     Madeline Perry bt Fiona Geaves   9/5, 9/0, 10/9

Grainger on course
The tournament favourite Natalie Grainger ensured her passage to the semi-final by varying her strokes, thus keeping Pamela Nimmo off balance. From 4-3 in the first the American's differing pace and lobs produced a breakthrough for Grainger and she took the game 9-4.

Staying concentrated, she kept up the pressure and was two games up before Nimmo had re-grouped. In the third, Nimmo rallied magnificently from 6-1 down and even led 7-6 before eventually falling 9-7.

Natalie Grainger bt Pamela Nimmo 9/4, 9/3, 9/7

Sublime Squash from Omneya
Omneya Abdel Kawy produced two sublime games to take a 2-0 lead against Laura Lengthorn. The great thing for the spectators was that Lengthorn was also playing some outstanding squash. The rallies were of the highest quality and it was thrilling to watch. Just towards the end of the second game, one sensed that Lengthorn might have grabbed the initiative. She won some excellent points and, although losing 9-7, looked dangerous.

She confirmed that by shocking Kawy and grabbing the third 9-0. In the fourth, Lengthorn led 4-1, then 6-4, and match seemed destined for a fifth. But credit Kawy for her mental toughness as she clawed her way back and then closed out the match 9-6.

Omneya Abdel Kawy bt Laura Lengthorn 9/5, 9/7, 0/9, 9/6

Stoehr slips past Khan
These two players had never met previously, but both came to the court with clear game plans. Isabelle Stoehr was as nimble footed as ever and played some excellent shots that forced Latasha Khan around the court.

It was an absorbing contest as both players struck the ball hard and points were evenly played. Khan, by her own admission, never seemed to get into a rhythm as she had done when winning the day before. Stoehr took a 2-0 lead, and the third reached 6-6 before the last 4 points slipped away from the American as Stoehr advanced.

Isabelle Stoehr bt Latasha Khan 9/6, 9/5, 9/6

DRAW

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2004 Event

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Photos by:
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©2005 SquashSite

VASSAR HISTORY
FOUR FINALS

2004:
[4] Omneya Abdel Kawy (Egy) bt [2] Fiona Geaves (Eng) 1-9, 9-7, 7-9, 9-7, 9-6

2003:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [6] Vicky Botwright (ENG) 9-0, 9-5, 9-4

2002:
[2] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) bt [3] Rebecca Macree (ENG) 9-1, 9-4, 2-9, 9-5

2001:
[1] Suzanne Horner (ENG) bt [2] Rebecca Macree (ENG) 9-4 9-1 9-4

03-Feb: First Round:
Two Thrillers and
a Retirement ...
Jane Parker reports from Vassar

There were no surprises in store for the seeds as the Vassar Class of 32 reached the main draw stage in Poughkeepsie, but two of the eight were stretched to the limit, and one retirement was announced ...

Natalie Grainger bt Katie Patrick 9-4, 9-0, 9-2
The number 1 seed, Natalie Grainger, wasted no time in setting out her stall. Katie Patrick was coming off a good qualifying win but she was not afforded any time to settle.

Pamela Nimmo bt Eman El Amir 9-1, 9-6, 9-5
Egypt’s # 3 player, Eman Amir, got off to a poor start and that allowed Pamela Nimmo to develop a real pace and rhythm to her game. They had met recently at the Malaysian tournament and that had gone 3-2 in the Scot's favour. Nimmo kept up the pressure and was focused throughout this match.

Omneya Abdel Kawy bt Kasey Brown 9-4, 9-7, 9-4
The defending Vassar WISPA champion looked sharp and in control. Currently ranked #7 in the world Kawy used an array of deceptive strokes to win in 3 games. Australia’s Brown had played her tough in Dayton, Ohio a couple weeks ago but not today.

Laura Lengthorn bt Manuela Manetta 9-6, 9-4, 9-2
These two players had never met previously but it didn’t take long for England’s Laura Lengthorn, ranked #21 in the world, to get past qualifier Manuela Manetta.

Latasha Khan bt Suzie Pierrepont 9-4, 9-2, 3-9, 7-9, 9-6
This was the match of the day as these two heavy hitters stood toe to toe in a thrilling 5 setter. America’s Khan jumped ahead 2-0 but Pierrepont battled back to tie matters up. Down 7-4 in the fourth set Pierrepont took it 9-7. Khan should really have closed the match out at this point. So to a fifth set it went. No quarter was asked and none given. Khan had 8-6 for what seemed an eternity before she prevailed.

Madeline Perry bt Louisa Hall 9-5, 9-0, 9-2
After a first set that was highly competitive Madeline Perry kept the pressure on American qualifier Hall. The Irish woman's pace was just a little too much and she ran out a convincing winner 3-0.

Fiona Greaves bt Heidi Mather 4-9, 9-2, 9-1, 9-7
The #2 seed Fiona Greaves started slowly but never stopped gathering momentum to overcome Australia’s Heidi Mather. Even in the fourth set, Greaves came back from 6-1 down and rattled off 8 straight points before eventually closing out the game 9-7.

Isabelle Stoehr bt Melissa Martin 6-9, 9-6, 9-0, 2-9, 9-4
Like the match before this was an exciting 5 setter. Stoehr took the second, third, and fifth games to advance to the quarterfinal stage.

Both players were quick and nimble around the court and rallies were lengthy. There was little to choose between them but the French woman squeezed out the win.

Isabelle Stoehr reports from Poughkeepsie

I started very badly, I just couldn’t move at all in the first game, couldn’t find my length. Melissa has got great racquet skills and a good precise length, typical Aussie. I lost the first 9/6, a disputed game despite my bad
start.

Then, still problems to find my length, but I’m moving a bit better. 7/6 on my serve, we have to interrupt the game, as I hurt my finger, and I’m bleeding heavily. They put far too big a plaster on the injury, but if it bleeds again, I lose the match so… How did I do it? No idea, really. I must have hit my finger with the racquet… Anyway, I get back on court, and win eventually
9/6.

I win the third easily 9/0. From the start of the game, Melissa is making too many unforced errors. I don’t have any problems winning that one, but in the fourth, I lose my concentration, and do everything that one shouldn’t do, no length, get stuck in a false rhythm, play awfully badly, and I end up losing 9/2.

In the fifth, she is up 4/0, and I hear a voice in my head that says “Girl, if you don’t want to lose in the first round, now is the time to move your …”

Suddenly, I’m finding my length again, I’m holding the rallies much better, I make her move, I’m more patient. She ends up cracking up at 6/4 on my serve. I win the last points easily, 9/4.

Tomorrow, I’m playing against Latasha Khan, who beat Suzie Pierrepont 3/2.

Speak with you tomorrow…

Isabelle Stoehr ©2005 SquashSite

DRAW

REPORTS

2004 Event

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RETIREMENT…
Heidi Mather today played the last match of her career, against Fiona Geaves, as she is retiring and is about to get married to Rodney Martin in March.

Best wishes for a happy future from all at SquashSite ...

02-Feb: Qualifying Finals:
Competition Heats Up
As Qualification Concludes
Jane Parker reports from Vassar

Fast paced action, great shot making, and some controversy thrown in for good measure was the recipe for the four qualification matches on day two of the tournament, where 8 women started and 4 women advanced to the main draw.

Katie Patrick (Canada) bt Lily Lorentzen (USA)
9-3, 9-0, 9-3).

The scores suggest a straightforward win, but it was anything like smooth sailing for Katie Patrick. Though in control, the former UPenn player had to work hard against Lorentzen who chased everything down. Patrick's short game is improving steadily, and it paid dividends against a hard working opponent, and her reward is a shot at top seed Natalie Grainger.

Louisa Hall (USA) bt Tara Mullins (Aus)
9-3, 9-1, 9-2

In the second match of the day, it was yet again a case of hard fought rallies. Louisa Hall, coming off a solid win the day before, was brimming with confidence. This was something of a contrast to Tara Mullins, who seemed just a little flat and out of sorts. Hall powered her way past the Australian to earn a last 16 slot against Madeline Perry.

Manuela Manetta (Ita) bt Jana Smeralova (Cz)
9-6, 9-1, 5-9, 9-5

In what appeared to be a very evenly matched draw, it was the unforced errors of Smeralova that proved her undoing. The Italian, Manetta, took the pace of the ball and used some very deft drop shots to pressure her opponent. The match looked like it might go to 5 when Smeralova won the third 9-5, but Manetta got back to her winning formula in the fourth. She now face England's Laura Lengthorn.

Suzie Pierrepont (Eng) bt Marnie Baizley (Can)
9-2, 4-9, 9-5, 10-9

This match fizzed and buzzed right form the get-go! There were some dogged rallies and plenty of powerful strokes as the English and Canadian women went hammer and tongs at each other. It all seemed to come to a head in the nip and tuck fourth game. The players traded point for point and there were a number of close let calls. Pierrepont argued strongly with the referee but to no avail. It seemed to motivate her, and in the end she prevailed. But it was not before Baizley had stretched her to the limit. Pierrepont now meets the USA's Latasha Khan.

REPORTS

01-Feb:
Five up for Vassar
It's not every day of the week that the world's top players of a sport descend on Poughkeepsie, NY. But this week, at Vassar College, there's the chance to watch the very best that the game of squash can offer.

The WISPA event is staged for the fifth time at Kenyon Hall, with seven of the world's top 20 players on show, and entry is completely free.

The 2005 event includes World #5 Natalie Grainger (USA), plus the 2004 finalists, Omneya Abdel Kawy (Egypt) and Fiona Greaves (Eng). The event is truly international with Shelley Kitchen (Nzl), Madeline Perry (Ire), Isabelle Stoehr (Fra), and Pamela Nimmo (Sco) also competing.

Americans Advance Over Aussies
Jane Parker reports from Vassar

The first round of qualifying in Poughkeepsie saw two matches played in the qualifying bracket. This 10-player bracket produces 4 winners who then advance to the main tournament bracket of 16.

Lily Lorentzen (USA) bt Jemma Saxby (Aus) 9-6, 9-1, 9-1

Lorentzen, a recent graduate of Greenwich High School, CT and in her first year competing on the WISPA tour, played with maturity beyond her years. Her power and athleticism posed problems for a combative Saxby. The Australian is not fully recovered from shin splints, but she put up a gutsy performance.

Louisa Hall (USA) bt Lisa Camilleri (Aus) 9-6, 9-7, 5-9, 9-4

Harvard's former number 1 player, Louisa Hall, got the benefit of a couple of close let calls and in the end overcame Australian Lisa Camilleri. Both are in their first year of the WISPA tour on a full time basis, and there was plenty at stake. The rallies were spirited and had pace, but Hall was the more consistent shot maker overall.

Previous Vassar Finals:
   2004: [4] Omneya Abdel Kawy (Egy) bt [2] Fiona Geaves (Eng) 1-9, 9-7, 7-9, 9-7, 9-6
   2003: [1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [6] Vicky Botwright (ENG) 9-0, 9-5, 9-4
   2002: [2] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) bt [3] Rebecca Macree (ENG) 9-1, 9-4, 2-9, 9-5
   2001: [1] Suzanne Horner (ENG) bt [2] Rebecca Macree (ENG) 9-4 9-1 9-4