This article was written by Greenwich Sports Beat Intern and Sacred Heart Greenwich senior Dylan Drury

The Sacred Heart Greenwich varsity squash team traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this past weekend, where they competed in the U.S. High School Team Squash Championships.

The Tigers placed third overall in Division 1, the highest placement in Sacred Heart history.

On Friday, the team had a match against The Brynn Marr School, pulling away with a 7-0 win. On Saturday, they played the Winsor School from Boston, Mass., in the second round, winning 5-2. Sacred Heart then fell to Baldwin School from Pennsylvania, 6-1, Saturday evening. They played their matches at the U.S. High School Team Squash Championships, also known as Nationals, at the new Arlen Specter U.S. Squash Center, in Philadelphia.

On Sunday, the team completed an upset victory against the third seeded team, The Agnes Irwin School from Pennsylvania. Sacred Heart won, 5-2, to finish third place overall in the tournament.

“This past weekend we finished 3rd at the US Squash High School Nationals Division I,” Sacred Heart Head Squash coach Celia Pashley said. “This is the school’s best-ever finish. To be able to accomplish such a great result with the Varsity is definitely my proudest moment as a coach. The girls all had their ups-and-downs throughout the season, but when it mattered the most, they showed up and got the job done. We were not seeded to win the 3rd/4th playoff, but with wins at the #1, #2, #3, #5 and #6 spots we managed to pull a big upset.”

Sophomore Caroline Fouts, who went 4-0 on her matches over the weekend, spoke about her team’s experience at the tournament.

“I think this weekend was really successful for our team and a great way to end the season by making school history, as it was the first time our team has ever gotten third place,” Caroline said. “Through this tournament our team spirit grew and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve next year.”

Senior captain Annie O’Connor spoke about her team’s progress this season, and about competing in her last squash tournament ever.

“I am so proud of the way that we finished this year,” O’Connor said. “We worked really hard this season, and I am so grateful that we were able to finish the best we have in Sacred Heart history. Our team was really strong this year, and everyone really stepped up. I am so proud of all of our progress.”

“I have been working in the Athletic Department at SH for 7 years, but it is my 8th year coaching the squash team,” Pashley said. “Some of these girls have been with me since Lower School and it makes it even more special that I get to share that with them. We started in Division IV and we are now 3rd in the country. I am so proud of all the players for their hard work and dedication. It has made my journey as a squash coach worth every minute despite the rollercoaster of emotion they are capable of giving me. This team has such a great bond and it does make the difference! We end our season with a 10-1 record, only losing to GA, who is the current National Champion.”