Boys’ varsity squash opened up their season on November 29 with a decisive victory, running over an outmatched St. Georges team
6-1. The team’s new young stars, prep Andy Maruca and lower Omar Sobhy, who played three and four respectively, both showed their worth, beating older opponents. Omar’s match was the quickest of the day; in three games he did not give up a point.
Upper Nate Shephard, also new to the varsity squad, had a similarly easy encounter, coming through 9-1, 9-0, 9-1 at number six. Veteran Luke Lee dominated in the number five match, breezing through 3-0. Co-captain Ed Casserley’s contest at number two was slightly longer, but still not close, ending 9-2, 9-4, 9-3. Andy faced an athletic opponent, but his clever drops and tight rails proved too much, and he won 3-1. Upper Justin Kim’s dogged 3-1 victory at number seven emphasizes the team’s depth this year.
Exeter’s only defeat came in the number one match. Co-captain Mike Maruca played a talented Antonio Diaz, who won the US Open last year in the under seventeen division. Despite tight length and some terrific retrieving from Maruca, Diaz’s grueling speed of play and accurate volleys proved too much. He won 9-3, 10-8, 9-4. Mike kept up with his opponent from start to finish, and had game points in the second game. Diaz is one of the strongest juniors in the country, and that Mike was able to stay with him bodes well for the future.
-- Submitted by Co-captain Ed Casserley
