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Squash(ed): MASO Tournament

Sidharth Shah '26

Jan 17, 2025

The boys' squash team dominated at the Mercersburg Academy Squash Open (MASO) Tournament on Saturday, cruising to an easy victory on the home courts. The team showcased its skill by dropping just one game throughout the entire competition. This win pushed the season record to 10-1 and extended the winning streak to 10 matches. Additionally, due to weather conditions, the Mercersburg varsity team played against its junior varsity counterpart in a friendly home match as a warm-up. It was the first time in the program's history that the two teams faced each other in an official tournament setting. While the varsity team won, the match showcased the talent and depth of the program as a whole. 

Prior to the tournament, the team was in high spirits. Gilberto Aceves Moreno ’25 explained, “We are all excited for the matches, and we want to win the whole tournament.” Marcus Lee ’27 agreed, stating, “Team spirit was high before the match as we had a good team breakfast and team warm-up that really allowed us to perform our best at this high level.”

Blue Storm’s overall record was 4-0 over the weekend, with players like Rayyan Khan ’27 and Finn Mauro ’27 extending perfect individual records of 10-0 and 8-0, respectively. The team’s overall prowess was clearly displayed; most players contributed a 3-0 match to each win. Khan commented, “It feels good to be undefeated, and we are hoping to keep it that way throughout the season.” Mauro added, “I’m proud of the work I have put in preparations, and it’s been a great season so far thanks to that work. The next thing I’m looking forward to is our high school Nationals.” 

Head coach Dominic Benacquista reflected on the tournament with pride. “We approached this event as a simulation, preparing the boys for the level of competition they’ll face at the MAPL Championships and High School Nationals. With limited opportunities to compete in such formats before it truly counts, it was crucial for us to get the mindset, approach, and execution right - on and off the court. This year, we’ve drawn inspiration from the swim program, looking to emulate their athletes’ and coaches’ seriousness and attention to detail in and out of competition. With time and effort, we aim to make a similar impact—something I believe the players are striving for, as well. Overall, this was a positive step forward and I truly believe we aren’t far off from the best in the nation.”

The next challenge for the team will be the MAPL Tournament, where they will compete against their longtime rivals, Lawrenceville. Benacquista explained, “The MAPL will be a great test of our athlete's preparation and we are looking to win the MAPL and make Division 1 of High School Nationals.” After that, the team will head to the High School Nationals to wrap up the season. 

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