JULIA TIERNAN/YH Women's basketball is on a roll in recent play.

Sports Shorts

Women's Basketball

Back-to-back victories galvanize Bulldogs for rematch against Brown

The Elis look forward to another victory on Sat., Jan. 29 as they head to Rhode Island for a rematch with the Bears. "We've had our ups and downs this season, but during that Brown game the team really came together," Captain Kelly Denit, DC '00, said. "Every year the league title is up in the air."

A primary factor in the Elis' resurgence has been first-year Coach Amy Backus. She has stressed an up-tempo offense, but she recognizes that the pace of the game depends on the strengths of the opponent. "We didn't want a track meet [against Hartford]," she said. "When we control the tempo, it's easier to get off the good shots."

Backus is cautiously enthusiastic about the team's progress. "These past two wins have helped build our confidence," she said. With solid 40-minute performances, the Elis are looking to clean up in the conference in the second half of the season. At 1-2 in the Ivies, there's still plenty of time. After facing Navy on Sun., Jan. 30, the Bulldogs will have 10 more league games. Denit knows there's always a chance: "I don't have to tell the team how excited to be, especially after that Brown game. They know what's happening." —David Gest

Men's Squash

Ranked fourth in the nation, Bulldogs christen new court

They broke out the champagne last weekend as donors and alumni from across the country flocked to New Haven to celebrate the official dedication of the new $6 million Brady Squash Center in Payne Whitney Gymnasium, named after Nicholas Brady, JE '52. But it wasn't all fun and games for the men's squash team, currently ranked fourth in the country. While the dedication ceremonies were still going on, the team had six matches to play. And with so many alumni eyes watching, the team did not want to disappoint any former players.

The only people disappointed, however, were Yale's opponents. The men convincingly defeated all six teams—Colby, Hamilton, Cornell, Fordham, Bates, and Dartmouth— that came to challenge them on Sat., Jan. 22 and Sun. Jan., 23. Kris Weiner, PC '00, won at position No. 1 against both Hamilton and Cornell, while senior Deji Olukotun, CC '00, was a winner in the top spot against Colby.

The Elis' combined 52-2 singles record against the six teams was an important confidence builder for the Bulldogs, who got swept 0-9 by defending national champion Trinity on Wed., Jan. 19.

Hoping to build on this weekend's performance, the team travels to Annapolis, Mary. this weekend to take on Navy. Although not usually a strong team, Navy has a new coach and in the past has shown a consistently disciplined work ethic. The following weekend, the Bulldogs face a pivotal match with Princeton. The Tigers are ranked third in national polls, just ahead of the Elis. "Princeton will be a huge match for us," Joe Cohen, JE '02, said. "They have a tough team, but we can beat them at every spot up and down the lineup."

Unfortunately, Yale will have to play the rest of the season without Chris Olsen, SM '02, who went down last week with a fractured femur. "Chris was a top-five player," Cohen said. "Obviously we'll miss him, but we have the depth to keep playing well." —Geoffrey Chepiga

Gymnastics

Lady Elis' confidence soars

After a slow start, the gymnastics team has begun to limber up, capturing a close victory over Vermont on Sun., Jan. 23. "We had better performances in every event," Katie Kleiner, DC '01, said.

Shoshanna Engel, DC '03, posted the highest score of the meet, a 9.8 on her floor routine. Her performance earned her Eastern College Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week honors. Other leaders included Captain Betty Ky, TC '00, Lisa Crowley, ES '01, Nicole Hoffman, BR '01, and Kleiner. "The freshmen are strong, but the upperclassmen are our staples," Coach Barbara Tonry said.

Although the team has improved since the start of the season, there is still work to do before the competition against University of Pennsylvania on Sat., Jan 29. "There was too much nervousness," Tonry said. "Getting consistent performances out of everyone is key, especially on the beam and vault." Tonry warned that Penn has been scoring higher in individual events. "We need to focus on what we are doing," she said. "We cannot control what they do, but if we go out there with confidence and consistency, we'll do well."

Mental fortitude will be particularly important during the Ivy championships. "Ivies are just like all the other meets in terms of preparation, although they tend to be much more emotional," Tonry said. "We will need to be mentally tough and get our starting values high." The Bulldogs have plenty of time to work on their confidence, as Ivies are nearly a month away.

—Lindsey Stimpson

Back to Sports...