GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College squash team opened its 2021-22 season with a pair of victories at the Smith Squash Center this afternoon. The Herons defeated Denison 7-2 and Chatham 6-1 this afternoon.
 
In its first match of the day, William Smith knocked off the Big Red with 3-0 wins in the top seven spots of the lineup.  Marce Marquez Martinez defeated Kaylee Hunt in the No. 1 spot, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9. Laila Selim earned her first collegiate victory, besting Antoinette Ramsey, 11-5, 11-6, 11-4, at No. 2. Diya Moolani, Shante Frank, Jada Smith-Padmore also earned their first career victories against Denison.
 
"It was a straightforward win against a newly formed varsity program," Head Coach Pat Cosquer said. "We are young and inexperienced, so every chance we get to step on a court with a uniform on is important and meaningful. I'm pleased to open the season with a victory and matches like these give us results to build upon."
 
Selim notched her second win of the day, knocking off Chatham's Valentina Della-Maddalenta, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7, in the No. 2 spot. Frank only lost two games as she cruised to an 11-1, 11-0, 11-1 victory in the No. 3 spot. Smith-Padmore swept her match in the No. 4 spot, besting Yushi Zhang 11-0, 11-0, 11-0. Jo Pacheco and Molly Wachter collected their second wins of the day with wins in the No. 5 and No. 6 spot, respectively.
 
"It's nice to open the season with two match wins, but we know there is a lot of hard work to be done if we want to continue to post positive results and reach our individual and team goals," Cosquer said.
 
The Herons will be back in action next Saturday, Nov. 13, when they travel to take on St. Lawrence. The match is scheduled to begin at noon.