Welcome to the DHS Squash '24-'25 Season!
March 12, 2025
Happy Wednesday!
I am proud and thrilled to announce the 2025-26 Darien High School Squash Varsity Captains: Caroline Koons, Caitlin Cronin, Sean Roberts, and Luke Mihopoulos! Congratulations to these outstanding players and leaders who will guide us in the coming season.
A heartfelt thank you to all candidates who applied for the role of captain. Your dedication and ambition are truly inspiring. For those rising juniors who applied, there's always next season to showcase your potential as a captain.
To the entire team, as we reflect one more time on this past season, your hard work, resilience and team spirit made it incredible. Stay active, keep in shape on and off the court, and remember that the doors to the squash courts are always open for practice and growth.
Special thanks to our 2024-25 captains: Sarah, Ellie, Hope and Griffin, Jack and Maddox. We'll miss you deeply and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Warm regards,
Katline
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Hello Everyone
Happy Wednesday 🍀
This is a special mid-week update for all DHS players!
First of all: congratulations to all High School Nationals players, you did amazing!
Huge congratulations to all - we saw a team that gave everything they had and showed great camaraderie. With quite a number of freshman too in the girls team, there is a lot of growing to do in the next year.
One key recommendation could be to keep on playing in the spring and fall, if you love it and if your time schedule allows for it.
And for that reason, here is the schedule for this week and further:
1. DHS Varsity Girls team are undefeated in the League and will play in the FairWest Cup Championships on Thursday, February 27th, at 6pm at Chelsea Piers. Please come cheer them on as they attempt to win the Girls’ FairWest Cup for the first time in the history of DHS Squash.
ALL DHS SQUASH PLAYERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE WELCOME TO COME AND CHEER THE GIRLS ON AS THEY TRY TO BRING HOME THE FAIRWEST CUP!
2. All players should bring their uniforms back - we are still waiting for quite a few of them! JV and Varsity, bring them back to MSquash by end ofthe week!
3. We are looking forward to celebrating the season at the End of Season Banquet on Sunday, March 9 at 6pm at Country Club of Darien. At this event everyone dresses up a bit and enjoys dinner, speeches, awards and slideshow with highlights from the season. All parents and players are invited to this evening. Players may also attend on their own. The deadline to register and submit the co-pay is February 28. Here is the link: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZ5V5JAL85C0ETZ_ZZ65Z2SZ80MKCES
Hello All!
We hope that everyone is enjoying the start of the February break! While the regular season is over, we do have a few updates and reminders for you:
Best Regards,
Katline
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Week of 2/9
Dear Families-
It’s hard to believe that the last week of the regular season is here! The JV teams will wrap up their season this week and the varsity teams go on to US Squash High School Team Championships in Philadelphia at the end of the February break.
Practice is till taking place for:
Important Reminders:
Matches this week:
Monday, Feb 10- Boys JV vs. Scarsdale at MSquash Sono 7:30pm. Players should arrive at 7:00pm for 7:30pm match start.
Darien to bring 10-11.
Tuesday, Feb 11- Girls Varsity vs. Bronxville at MSquash Sono 8pm. Players should arrive at 7:30 pm for 8:00 pm match start.
Bronxille bringing 7:
Tuesday, Feb 11- Girls JV vs. Rye Red at Lifetime Westchester. All players to take bus that will leave the DHS Athletic Loop at 6:45pm. Match starts at 8:00pm.
Wednesday, Feb 12- Boys JV vs. King School at MSquash Sono 4pm. Players may take practice shuttle bus from DHS to MSquash Sono after school. Warm ups at 3:30pm for 4:00pm match start. (Reminder: Boys to turn in shirts at end of match).
King bringing 7
Let's make it a great last week, with some very special moments still for all!
Best Regards,
Katline
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Weekly Update- Week of 2/2
While we’ve been super busy on the courts, it’s hard to believe that we are nearing the final stretch of the season! As always, please review the below information carefully.
This week we look forward to celebrating our seniors on Thursday, Feb 6. By now all parents should have received a Paperless Post or Evite for this. (Evite was for families of seniors only). Please RSVP by Monday, Feb 3 if you have not already done so and include responses for you and child (team participant). The coordinators need a final headcount. As a reminder, all parents and players on all teams are invited to this. A suggested contribution for all attendees except for seniors and family members of seniors is encouraged in order to help us cover expenses. Payment information is included in the Paperless Post invitation.
Please note that we made an error in last week’s Weekly Update. The Boys JV have an additional match scheduled for Wednesday, Feb 12, (original mistakenly said Thursday) at MSquash Sono against King School at 4pm. Players may take the shuttle from DHS to MSquash at the end of school in order to get to this match.
Match Availability Form:
As mentioned above, all players should complete the Match Availability form below. We will assume that any player who does not complete this form IS available for matches.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19t9atJ0BsR6BsF76nb7dyIMg4aWlDHJOSG7JuOdRgas/edit?ts=6776ccce
Captain Applications for ‘25-’26 season
As mentioned last week, any current sophomore or junior who is currently on varsity may apply to be considered for captain next season (‘25-’26 season). Those who wish to apply should contact Liz Koons at 203-940-0588 to receive an application. Once complete, players should submit the application directly to DHS Athletic Director, Chris Manfredonia. The deadline to apply is Monday, Feb 3.
Voting will take place the week of Feb 10th.
Matches this week:
Note: the JV Girls match vs. City Squash that was originally scheduled for 1/28 and the Varsity Girls match vs. Squash Haven that was originally scheduled for 2/1 are both canceled due to the other teams having conflicts.
Monday, Feb 3: Boys Varsity double header vs. City Squash BCSM and MACS at Fordham. All players to take bus that will leave the DHS Athletic Loop at 4:30pm. Matches start at 6:30pm.
City Squash bringing 7.
Roster:
1- Sean Roberts
2- Graham Hesselsweet
3- Rhodes van Duyne
4- Sebastian Kelsey
5- Griffin Banks
6- Henry Stravato
7- Jack McGregor
On Standby: Luke Mihopoulos
Coach: Isaiah Miller
Monday, Feb 3: Girls JV vs. New Canaan at Chelsea Piers. Players should arrive at 6:30pm for 7pm start.
Wednesday, Feb 5- Boys JV vs. Fairfield A at MSquash Sono. Players should arrive at 7:00pm for 7:30pm match start
Fairfield bringing 7 or 8. Will confirm.
Friday, Feb. 7- Boys Varsity vs. Rye at LifeTime Westchester.. All players to take bus that will leave the DHS Athletic Loop at 5:15pm. Match starts at 6:30pm.
Rye has 10 on roster.
1- Sean Roberts
2- Graham Hesselsweet
3- Rhodes van Duyne
4- Sebastian Kelsey
5- Griffin Banks
6- Henry Stravato
7- Jack McGregor
8- Luke Mihopoulos
On standby: Nolan Chung
Coach: Isaiah Miller
Saturday, Feb. 8- Girls Varsity vs. Westover School at MSquash Sono. Players should arrive at 4:00pm for 4:30pm start.
Westover bringing 8.
Also, please note the JV girls have a match on Monday, Feb 10. We will confirm that roster soon, but top 9 players on JV should plan on playing.
Mon Feb 10, 7:30pm in MSquash SONO Girls JV vs. Scarsdale JV
Other information:
A required team meeting for all players attending Nationals will take place at the start of practice on Tuesday, Feb 11. A copy of the rules for players will be emailed to parents.
A reminder to save the date for the End of Season Banquet on Sunday, March 9. All players on all teams are invited, as are parents (players may attend without a parent if they wish). A co-pay for this will be sent out in mid February.
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Weekly Update 1/26
Hello DHS Squash families-
We hope everyone had a great weekend. With midterms completed, we now enter a very busy time!
PLEASE take the time to review all of the below information carefully. With 5 teams and 40 players, there is a lot to coordinate and we appreciate everyone’s full cooperation!
Matches this week- ALL TEAMS HAVE MATCHES!!!!
Note, we have made these rosters based on the match availability form that has been sent out via email and text to all players. If players have not completed this form, we assume they can play. (link to form is also copied further down in this communication). If you are on the roster, we assume you will play. If you can’t make it, please update us before Monday 8am.
As always, if a player is not able to attend, they should Email BOTH myself Katline and Liz Koons immediately to let us know.
Also, on days when matches occur on practice days, practice will be shortened to 3-4pm in order to allow players time to get homework completed!
Monday, 1/27– Boys JV/Mixed JVB s. Greenwich at Greenwich Field Club. Note, Greenwich’s JV team is relatively strong so we are bringing a mix of JV/JVB players for this. All players to take the bus from the DHS Athletic Loop at 6:30pm. Bus will return players to DHS after match. Match starts at 7:30pm.
Greenwich planning to bring 9
Roster:
Tuesday, 1/28- Boys V vs. Bronxville at LifeTime Westchester. All players to take bus that will leave from the DHS Athletic Loop at 7:00pm. Bus will return players to DHS after match. Match starts at 8:00pm.
Bronxille bringing 8.
CANCELED as of 1/28- Tuesday, 1/28 - Girls JV vs. CitySquash Inter at MSquash Sono.
Wednesday, 1/29 - Boys JV vs. Briarcliff at MSquash Sono. Players to arrive by 7:00pm for warm ups. Match starts at 7:30pm.
Briarcliff bringing 9:
Note: If sub is needed, L. Mihopoulos may be asked to play in this match.
Friday, 1/31: Boys AND Girls Varsity teams vs. Rye Country Day School. All players to take bus that will depart from DHS Athletic Loop at 2:30pm. Bus will return players after matches. Matches start at 3:30pm.
RCDS has 9 per team.
Girls Roster:
Boys Roster:
Friday, 1/31- Boys JV vs. Westport at Chelsea Piers. Arrive at 6:30pm for 7pm match start.
Westport has 16
Canceled as of 1/29- Saturday, 2/1- Girls Varsity vs Squash Haven. at 5:00pm at MSquash Sono.
Saturday, 2/1- Girls V/JV vs. Westport Varsity at Intensity. Players should arrive at 12:30pm for 1pm match start. No bus is provided for this.
Note: We are still confirming the number of players with Westport. As of now, the following players should plan on playing:
Sunday, 2/2- Boys JV vs. Street Squash. All players to take bus that will depart the DHS Athletic Loop at 11:45am and bus will return players to DHS after match. Match starts at 1:30.
Also, please note both the Boys V team and Girls JV team have matches on Monday, Feb 3. Rosters TBA, but players on these teams should plan accordingly.
Additional matches this season:
Please note the Boys JV have an additional match scheduled for Wednesday, Feb 12, at MSquash Sono against King School at 4pm. Players may take the shuttle from DHS to MSquash at the end of school in order to get to this match.
Match Availability Form:
As mentioned above, all players should complete the Match Availability form below. We will assume that any player who does not complete this form IS available for matches.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19t9atJ0BsR6BsF76nb7dyIMg4aWlDHJOSG7JuOdRgas/edit?ts=6776ccce
Captain Applications for ‘25-’26 season
Any current sophomore or junior who is currently on varsity may apply to be considered for captain next season (‘25-’26 season). Those who wish to apply should contact Liz Koons at 203-940-0588 to receive an application. Once complete, players should submit the application directly to DHS Athletic Director, Chris Manfredonia. The deadline to apply is Monday, Feb 3.
Voting will take place the week of Feb 10th.
Upcoming events:
Please keep an eye out for Evites for Senior Night on Thursday, Feb 6 at 6pm. ALL players and parents are invited to this gathering as our juniors host a fun evening honoring our seniors!.
And please save the date for the End of Season Banquet on Sunday, March 9. Again, ALL players and parents are invited to this special evening as we celebrate the end of a great season. (Players may attend without parents.) Dinner, speeches, awards and slideshow will take place. There will be a per-person charge for this and the co-pay for this will be sent out in February.
Last, a reminder to those attending High School Team Nationals to please complete the co-pay and submit the permission form to the DHS Athletic Director, Chris Manfredonia.
Best Regards,
Katline
1/19/25
Hi DHS Squash Families-
We hope this finds everyone enjoying the long weekend! With the end of midterms in site, we have a quiet few days, but then quickly ramp up with lots of matches. As always, please review the below information carefully!
PRACTICE this week Due to midterms, we again have a scaled back practice schedule. Players should be there on Thursday and either Friday or Sunday
Roster:
Saturday, Jan 25- Boys Varsity vs. Squash Haven at Yale. All players should take the bus that leaves from the DHS Athletic Loop at 9:15am. Match starts at 11am. Bus will return players to DHS when match is complete.
Roster:
Please also be aware that during the week of January 27, all teams have matches (some more than one!), so please make note of the match schedules that can be found listed by team in this link: https://www.dariensquash.com/boys-varsity.html
Match AvailabilityIn order to get a better sense for player’s availability for upcoming matches, we ask that players please complete the below Match Availability form for their assigned teams. A big thank you to Jack MacGregor for creating his form for us!
https://forms.gle/Qti7YYEQwyd2aMmo8.
NEW RULES ABOUT LETTING US YOU CAN’T PLAY A MATCH
Please respect the following rules for match attendance:
Co-Pays remindersA reminder to please complete payment asap to the team uniform replenishment fund. As some of you may know, the Board of Education has cut the budget for team uniforms this year. Luckily, we already have uniforms for most players, but we are missing a few sizes and need to buy additional uniforms. Rather than asking each person to purchase their own, we’re asking everyone to contribute to the team uniform replenishment fund. This is the most cost-effective solution for everyone. Here is the link to make a payment for this:
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZ5V5JAL85C0ETZ_ZZ65C0C2YJ6PD5L.
Also, a reminder to parents of players attending High School Nationals to please complete the co-pay link: https://www.msquash.com/product-page/darien-squash
Save the DateSenior Night: Thursday, Feb 6 at 6pm at the Darien Depot- This is a fun evening where all players celebrate our seniors!
End of Season Banquet: Sunday, March 9 at Country Club of Darien. All players and parents/guardians are invited to this event. Players may also attend on their own. We will send out additional information soon!
And other events TBD!
Best Regards,
Katline
1/12/2025-Hi Parents and Players
We had a busy week on the courts and now onto midterms! We wish everyone a successful midterms series, let’s stay calm and confident and put in the hard work, and then we will all do great!
Some results of this week which deserve a big CONGRATULATIONS to ALL!
A few important reminders:
Practices this week:
A reminder that during midterms, we will run a revised practice schedule in order to accommodate players’ exam schedules.
Here are five reasons why we keep on prioritising exercise even during midterms:
1. Problem-solving : Exercise and problem-solving have an interesting relationship. Sport gives you a new perspective on problem-solving – including the self-knowledge that you can do something – which you can then apply to your academics.
2. Concentration and focus: frequent exercise improves your ability to focus and concentrate for long periods Exercise releases chemicals which improve your focus and stimulate brain cell growth.
3. Confidence: Staying active is correlated with better long-term self-esteem.
4. Stress relief : In high school, it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do even half of your homework and get a decent night’s sleep. Exercise can help you deal with this. When you’re physically active, your brain releases stress-relieving chemicals which are also linked to an improved mood. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed or a bit down, get active!
5. Memory: Regular, moderate-intensity exercise has been linked to improved long-term memory. While you might not be able to notice the effects immediately, it’s worth a shot!
There is no bus service from school to MSquash. Players are asked to select two practices each week that they will attend. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE THERE.
The options are:
Week 1:
Week 2:
Upcoming Matches:
Due to midterms, we have a quieter week ahead.
Saturday, Jan 18th JV/JVB match at 1:00pm at Street Squash in NYC. A bus will bring players to this match. The bus departs from the DHS Athletic Loop at 11:15 and will return players to DHS after the match. We are still confirming numbers with the other team, but ask the following players to plan on playing:
Match Availability:
Also, in order to get a better sense for player’s availability for upcoming matches, we ask that players please complete the below Match Availability form for their assigned teams. A big thank you to Jack MacGregor for creating his form for us!
https://forms.gle/Qti7YYEQwyd2aMmo8.
Co-Pays:
A reminder to please complete payment asap to the team uniform replenishment fund. As some of you may know, the Board of Education has cut the budget for team uniforms this year. Luckily, we already have uniforms for most players, but we are missing a few sizes and need to buy additional uniforms. Rather than asking each person to purchase their own, we’re asking everyone to contribute to the team uniform replenishment fund. This is the most cost-effective solution for everyone. Here is the link to make a payment for this:
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZ5V5JAL85C0ETZ_ZZ65C0C2YJ6PD5L.
A critical reminder: please ensure you have completed the team participation co-pay if you haven't done so already. The link is provided below, and DHS requests payment by December 20th. If anyone needs a scholarship, they should reach out to their child’s counselor.
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZ5V5JAL85C0ETZ_ZZ658UI8W7LJSC7.
Save the Date!!:
A big thank you to those who contributed to the all teams pasta dinner on Friday! Please save the date for the following:
Senior Night: Thursday, Feb 6 at 6pm at the Darien Depot- This is a fun evening where all players celebrate our seniors!
End of Season Banquet: Sunday, March 9 at Country Club of Darien. All players and parents/guardians are invited to this event. Players may also attend on their own. We will send out additional information soon!
And other events TBD!
Have a great week everyone,
Katline
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1/5/2025
Dear Squash Players and Families!
Hope the year kicked off successfully for everyone. Here are some reminders for practices for all players:
Upcoming Matches:
If you can not make a match, please contact both Coach Katline (978) 895-7016 and Liz Koons (203) 940-0588 via text asap so we can adjust the rosters. Late cancellations mean we likey default a position and leave players on the other team without a match.
Also please note that we are still waiting to hear back from some of the below teams regarding the number of players they plan to bring to matches. In these cases we have listed additional players who are likely to be asked to play and will confirm with these players ASAP.
Monday, Jan 6 Girls JV vs. Rye Red @ Chelsea Piers. Arrive at 6:30pm for 7:00 pm match start time.
Roster:
Wednesday, Jan 8 Boys Varsity vs. Staples @ Intensity. All players to take bus that will leave from DHS Athletic Loop at 6:45pm. Match starts at 7:45pm and bus will return players to DHS.
Roster:
Staples bringing 9.
Wednesday, Jan 8 Girls Varsity vs. Staples @ MSquash Sono. Arrive at 7:00pm for 7:30 match start.
Roster:
Greenwich bringing 7
Thursday, Jan 9 Boys Varsity vs. Greenwich @ Chelsea Piers. Arrive at 6:30pm for 7:00pm match start.
Roster:
Saturday, Jan 11. Boys JV s. Squash Haven at Yale. All players take the bus that leaves DHS Athletic Loop at 9:30am. Match starts at 11:00am. Bus will return players to DHS.
Please note there is also a JV/JVB match on Saturday, Jan 18th at 1:00pm at Street Squash in NYC. A bus will bring players to this match. We are still confirming numbers with the other team, but ask the following players to plan on playing:
We may also ask James Coe and Neev Sahgal to play in this match. We will confirm asap.
Other information:
Jan 10- Pasta dinner!!!
All players are invited to the second pasta dinner of the season on Friday, Jan 10th at 6pm in the DHS Cafeteria. This is a great change for players to get together and enjoy some fun social time together! For parents who are willing to contribute food. Thank you - here is the link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F4BA9AA2EA31-54183304-squash/15421531#/
Midterms:
A reminder that during midterms, we will run a revised practice schedule in order to accommodate players’ exam schedules. There is no bus during midterms to get the players to practice. Players are asked to select two practices each week that they will attend. The options are:
Week 1:
Week 2:
We look forward to seeing everyone on the courts!
Let's go Blue Wave
Best Regards,
Katline
1/1/2025
Dear Squash Players and Families!
Happy New Year!
We hope everyone had a wonderful break!
We are back to practices beginning on Thursday, Jan 2 and have several matches coming up. Details and rosters are below. Please review carefully 🙏!
Upcoming Matches:
If you can not make a match, please contact both Coach Katline (978) 895-7016 and Liz Koons (203) 940-0588 via text asap so we can adjust the rosters. Late cancellations mean we likey default a position and leave players on the other team without a match.
Also please note that we are still waiting to hear back from some of the below teams regarding the number of players they plan to bring to matches. In these cases we have listed additional players who are likely to be asked to play and will confirm with these players ASAP.
Monday, Jan 6 Girls JV vs. Rye Red @ Chelsea Piers. Arrive at 6:30pm for 7:00 pm match start time.
Roster:
Wednesday, Jan 8 Boys Varsity vs. Staples @ Intensity. All players to take bus that will leave from DHS Athletic Loop at 6:45pm. Match starts at 7:45pm and bus will return players to DHS.
Roster:
Staples bringing 9.
Wednesday, Jan 8 Girls Varsity vs. Staples @ MSquash Sono. Arrive at 7:00pm for 7:30 match start.
Roster:
Greenwich bringing 7
Thursday, Jan 9 Boys Varsity vs. Greenwich @ Chelsea Piers. Arrive at 6:30pm for 7:00pm match start.
Roster:
Saturday, Jan 11. Boys JV s. Squash Haven at Yale. All players take the bus that leaves DHS Athletic Loop at 9:30am. Match starts at 11:00am. Bus will return players to DHS.
Please note there is also a JV/JVB match on Saturday, Jan 18th at 1:00pm at Street Squash in NYC. A bus will bring players to this match. We are still confirming numbers with the other team, but ask the following players to plan on playing:
Alyssa Polynstev
Aaliyah Durango
Hamin Park
Rohan Singh
Hamin Park
Saige Sinclair
Meisha Butler
We may also ask Ben MacGregor, James Coe and Neev Sahgal to play in this match. We will confirm asap.
Other information:
Jan 10- Pasta dinner!!!
All players are invited to the second pasta dinner of the season on Friday, Jan 10th at 6pm in the DHS Cafeteria. This is a great change for players to get together and enjoy some fun social time together!
Midterms:
A reminder that during midterms, we will run a revised practice schedule in order to accommodate players’ exam schedules. Players are asked to select two practices each week that they will attend. The options are:
Week 1:
Week 2:
We look forward to seeing everyone on the courts!
Best Regards,
Katline
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Week of 12/18
Hello DHS Squash Families-
We had a great first week of practices and matches! Below is some important information regarding practices, rosters for this coming week, social events and more.
Helpful Information:
Match Results:
Boys V vs. Scarsdale on 12/9 won 8-1!
Boys JV A ve. Rye on 12/11 lost 1-6
Girls JV vs. City Squash on 12/11 won 4-3
Darien JV B vs. New Canaan JV on 12/12 Lost 0-7
Matches this week:
Note: We often make adjustments to the rosters in days leading up to matches. If a player is not rostered, there is still a chance we will ask them to play, as we make best effort to get everyone on court. Also, some players will play in more than one match per week.
Also, if you are rostered and can not make the match, a reminder to please contact both Coach Katline Cauwels at (978) 895-7016 and Parent Volunteer, Liz Koons at (203) 940-0588 ASAP in one and the same text message. Please mention your name and team in that text message.
Katline Cauwels
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12/8- Hello DHS Squash Parents and Players-
It was great to see everyone on court this past week for DHS Squash tryouts!
As promised, below are team rosters, assigned practice days, and matches for this week.
Please note the varsity team photos for Booster Club posters will be taken at Tuesday’s practice.
Practices-
Regular practices for all teams starting Monday, 12/9. Bus will leave from the DHS Bus Loop at 2:25 each weekday. Players are responsible for their own transportation at the end of practice and both ways on weekends.
As mentioned at tryouts, players will be given many opportunities during the season to move up and down the teams’ ladders, so we anticipate changes to the rosters throughout the season.
Practice Day Assignments:
Girls Varsity: Tue/Thurs/Sun:
Girls JV A and JVB: Mon., Weds., Fri:
Boys Varsity: Tues, Thurs, Fri
Boys JV A/JVB: Mon, Weds, Sun:
MATCHES THIS WEEK
The match schedule for all teams can be found on the Darien Squash website under the High School tab. Please note that many of our teams have matches this coming week, starting with varsity boys on Monday!
Boys Varisty- Monday, 12/9 @ Chelsea Piers vs.Scarsdale. Player arrive at 6:30pm for warmups. Match starts at 7:00pm. Uniforms (Blue shirt) will be handed out to girls at Monday’s practice. NOTE: Boys will receive team uniform shirt when they arrive at Chelsea Piers.
Roster: 9 players
Boys JV A Wednesday, 12/11 @ LifeTimeWestchester vs. Rye. Players are required to take team bus that leaves from DHS Athletic Loop at 6:45pm Match starts at 8pm and bus will return players to the Athletic Loop at the end of the match.
Roster: 8 players
Girl JV- (Moved from 12/11) Thursday, 12/12 @MSquash Sono vs. City Squash. Players should arrive by 7:30pm/match starts at 8:00pm
Roster: 7 girls:
Darien JVB (Mixed) vs. New Canaan Boys JV, Thursday, 12/12 @ Chelsea Piers . Players should arrive by 6:30pm/match starts at 7:00pm.
Roster: 5players
Last, please keep an eye out for the MySchoolBucks co-pay request that will go out to families this coming week.
Go Blue Wave!
Let's have a first great season together!
Coach Katlline
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12/1/24- Dear DHS Squash Families-
Welcome to the ’24-’25 DHS Squash Season! We are looking forward to welcoming our players to the courts this week for tryouts!
Hopefully you all received last week’s email with the tryout schedule. It’s also copied below for your convenience and this information can also be found under “Weekly Updates” on the High School section of www.DarienSquash.com.
For tryouts, please remember:
Last, if you have not already done so, please take time to review information about the season on our website as we have lots of helpful information there.
Of course, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best Regards,
Katline
Girl JV- Wednesday, 12/11 @MSquash Sono vs. City Squash. Players should arrive by 7:00pm/match starts at 7:30pm
Roster: 7 girls
Happy Wednesday!
I am proud and thrilled to announce the 2025-26 Darien High School Squash Varsity Captains: Caroline Koons, Caitlin Cronin, Sean Roberts, and Luke Mihopoulos! Congratulations to these outstanding players and leaders who will guide us in the coming season.
A heartfelt thank you to all candidates who applied for the role of captain. Your dedication and ambition are truly inspiring. For those rising juniors who applied, there's always next season to showcase your potential as a captain.
To the entire team, as we reflect one more time on this past season, your hard work, resilience and team spirit made it incredible. Stay active, keep in shape on and off the court, and remember that the doors to the squash courts are always open for practice and growth.
Special thanks to our 2024-25 captains: Sarah, Ellie, Hope and Griffin, Jack and Maddox. We'll miss you deeply and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Warm regards,
Katline
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Hello Everyone
Happy Wednesday 🍀
This is a special mid-week update for all DHS players!
First of all: congratulations to all High School Nationals players, you did amazing!
- The Boys played 4 matches in Division IV and all 4 matches finished in a 3-4 or 4-3 result. It was tight, they fought hard and gave all they had. CONGRATULATIONS Boys!
- The Girls team was in a similar position, playing 4 matches over the weekend, winning and losing 3-4 and getting a last win in vs Nightingale 5-2!
Huge congratulations to all - we saw a team that gave everything they had and showed great camaraderie. With quite a number of freshman too in the girls team, there is a lot of growing to do in the next year.
One key recommendation could be to keep on playing in the spring and fall, if you love it and if your time schedule allows for it.
And for that reason, here is the schedule for this week and further:
1. DHS Varsity Girls team are undefeated in the League and will play in the FairWest Cup Championships on Thursday, February 27th, at 6pm at Chelsea Piers. Please come cheer them on as they attempt to win the Girls’ FairWest Cup for the first time in the history of DHS Squash.
ALL DHS SQUASH PLAYERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE WELCOME TO COME AND CHEER THE GIRLS ON AS THEY TRY TO BRING HOME THE FAIRWEST CUP!
2. All players should bring their uniforms back - we are still waiting for quite a few of them! JV and Varsity, bring them back to MSquash by end ofthe week!
3. We are looking forward to celebrating the season at the End of Season Banquet on Sunday, March 9 at 6pm at Country Club of Darien. At this event everyone dresses up a bit and enjoys dinner, speeches, awards and slideshow with highlights from the season. All parents and players are invited to this evening. Players may also attend on their own. The deadline to register and submit the co-pay is February 28. Here is the link: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZ5V5JAL85C0ETZ_ZZ65Z2SZ80MKCES
Hello All!
We hope that everyone is enjoying the start of the February break! While the regular season is over, we do have a few updates and reminders for you:
- All JV players who have not yet returned their uniform are asked to do so by Wednesday, Feb 19 at 5pm. They can either be returned to MSquash Sono or the mailbox of 19 Sherry Lane in Darien. Please include a note with your name on it when returning the uniform. Anyone who does not return their uniform will be charged for its replacement.
- Thank you to everyone who came to help us celebrate our Seniors last week! Here is a link to the photos:
- A reminder to players going to Nationals that Practice sessions will be held at MSquash Sono on:
- Tue 2/18 from 3-4:30PM
- Wed 2/19 from 3-4:30PM
- We will also run a practice in Philadelphia the evening of 2/20 at 7:15 pm at Arlen Specter Center.
- Congratulations to the DHS Varsity Girls team who are undefeated in the League and will play in the FairWest Cup Championships on Thursday, February 27th, at 6pm at Chelsea Piers. Please come cheer them on as they attempt to win the Girls’ FairWest Cup for the first time in the history of DHS Squash.
- We are looking forward to celebrating the season at the End of Season Banquet on Sunday, March 9 at 6pm at Country Club of Darien. At this event everyone dresses up a bit and enjoys dinner, speeches, awards and slideshow with highlights from the season. All parents and players are invited to this evening. Players may also attend on their own. The deadline to register and submit the co-pay is February 28. Here is the link: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZ5V5JAL85C0ETZ_ZZ65Z2SZ80MKCES
Best Regards,
Katline
-----------------------------
Week of 2/9
Dear Families-
It’s hard to believe that the last week of the regular season is here! The JV teams will wrap up their season this week and the varsity teams go on to US Squash High School Team Championships in Philadelphia at the end of the February break.
Practice is till taking place for:
- JV Boys: Mon and Wed - with Match on Wed!
- JV Girls: Mon, Wed and Fri
- Boys V: Tue, Thu, Fri
- Girls V: Tue, Thu
Important Reminders:
- All JV players should return their uniforms at their last practice. If for any reason players can’t attend that practice, please return the uniform to the desk at MSquash with your name so we can mark the uniform as returned. The uniforms must be returned by Saturday, Feb 15, or players will be charged for the uniform. Note: the JV Boys playing in the 2/12 match may hand in their shirts at the end of the match.
- We will be selecting the captains this week on Tue, Feb 10, 2025
- The new date for Senior Night is Thursday, Feb 13, at 6:00pm at the Darien Depot. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
- Also on Thursday, Feb. 13!! DAF media will be filming at the beginning of practice. If possible, players should wear Darien colors (white/blue )uniforms are not necessary.
- The date of the FairWest Cup is likely changing to Friday, 2/28, in the afternoon or evening. Varsity players are asked to set aside this date until we know more.
- Please save the date for the End of Season Banquet that will take place on Sunday, March 9 at Country Club of Darien. All players and parents are invited to this special evening. Players may also attend without parents. A co-pay will be sent out within the week.
Matches this week:
Monday, Feb 10- Boys JV vs. Scarsdale at MSquash Sono 7:30pm. Players should arrive at 7:00pm for 7:30pm match start.
Darien to bring 10-11.
- Jack MacGregor
- Luke Mihopoulos
- Nolan Chung
- Akhil Polaki
- Luke Romanowski
- Neev Sahgal
- Ben MacGregor
- James Coe
- Rohan Singh
Tuesday, Feb 11- Girls Varsity vs. Bronxville at MSquash Sono 8pm. Players should arrive at 7:30 pm for 8:00 pm match start.
Bronxille bringing 7:
- Savannah Moxham
- Caroline Koons
- Olivia Davis
- Melody Long
- Libby Meyer
- Sarah Kang
- Caroline Schwarz
Tuesday, Feb 11- Girls JV vs. Rye Red at Lifetime Westchester. All players to take bus that will leave the DHS Athletic Loop at 6:45pm. Match starts at 8:00pm.
- Hope Jackson (if not playing #7 for Bronxville)
- Caitlin Cronin
- Josie Spitz
- Milana Melnick
- Kate Fahrman
- Ellie Charney
- Maria Kholmanskikh
- Lola Byrnes
- Charlotte West
Wednesday, Feb 12- Boys JV vs. King School at MSquash Sono 4pm. Players may take practice shuttle bus from DHS to MSquash Sono after school. Warm ups at 3:30pm for 4:00pm match start. (Reminder: Boys to turn in shirts at end of match).
King bringing 7
- Nolan Chung
- Akhil Polaki
- Luke Romanowski
- Neev Sahgal
- Bern McGregor
- James Coe
- Rohan Singh
Let's make it a great last week, with some very special moments still for all!
Best Regards,
Katline
-----------------------------
Weekly Update- Week of 2/2
While we’ve been super busy on the courts, it’s hard to believe that we are nearing the final stretch of the season! As always, please review the below information carefully.
This week we look forward to celebrating our seniors on Thursday, Feb 6. By now all parents should have received a Paperless Post or Evite for this. (Evite was for families of seniors only). Please RSVP by Monday, Feb 3 if you have not already done so and include responses for you and child (team participant). The coordinators need a final headcount. As a reminder, all parents and players on all teams are invited to this. A suggested contribution for all attendees except for seniors and family members of seniors is encouraged in order to help us cover expenses. Payment information is included in the Paperless Post invitation.
Please note that we made an error in last week’s Weekly Update. The Boys JV have an additional match scheduled for Wednesday, Feb 12, (original mistakenly said Thursday) at MSquash Sono against King School at 4pm. Players may take the shuttle from DHS to MSquash at the end of school in order to get to this match.
Match Availability Form:
As mentioned above, all players should complete the Match Availability form below. We will assume that any player who does not complete this form IS available for matches.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19t9atJ0BsR6BsF76nb7dyIMg4aWlDHJOSG7JuOdRgas/edit?ts=6776ccce
Captain Applications for ‘25-’26 season
As mentioned last week, any current sophomore or junior who is currently on varsity may apply to be considered for captain next season (‘25-’26 season). Those who wish to apply should contact Liz Koons at 203-940-0588 to receive an application. Once complete, players should submit the application directly to DHS Athletic Director, Chris Manfredonia. The deadline to apply is Monday, Feb 3.
Voting will take place the week of Feb 10th.
Matches this week:
Note: the JV Girls match vs. City Squash that was originally scheduled for 1/28 and the Varsity Girls match vs. Squash Haven that was originally scheduled for 2/1 are both canceled due to the other teams having conflicts.
Monday, Feb 3: Boys Varsity double header vs. City Squash BCSM and MACS at Fordham. All players to take bus that will leave the DHS Athletic Loop at 4:30pm. Matches start at 6:30pm.
City Squash bringing 7.
Roster:
1- Sean Roberts
2- Graham Hesselsweet
3- Rhodes van Duyne
4- Sebastian Kelsey
5- Griffin Banks
6- Henry Stravato
7- Jack McGregor
On Standby: Luke Mihopoulos
Coach: Isaiah Miller
Monday, Feb 3: Girls JV vs. New Canaan at Chelsea Piers. Players should arrive at 6:30pm for 7pm start.
- Josie Spitz
- Milana Melnick
- Kate Fahrman
- Ellie Charney
- Maria Kholmanskikh
- Lola Byrnes
- Alyssa Polyntsev
- Aaliyah Durango
Wednesday, Feb 5- Boys JV vs. Fairfield A at MSquash Sono. Players should arrive at 7:00pm for 7:30pm match start
Fairfield bringing 7 or 8. Will confirm.
- Nolan Chung
- Akhil Polaki
- Luke Romanowski
- Andrew Eiref
- Neev Saghal
- Ben MacGregor
- James Coe
- Rohan Singh
Friday, Feb. 7- Boys Varsity vs. Rye at LifeTime Westchester.. All players to take bus that will leave the DHS Athletic Loop at 5:15pm. Match starts at 6:30pm.
Rye has 10 on roster.
1- Sean Roberts
2- Graham Hesselsweet
3- Rhodes van Duyne
4- Sebastian Kelsey
5- Griffin Banks
6- Henry Stravato
7- Jack McGregor
8- Luke Mihopoulos
On standby: Nolan Chung
Coach: Isaiah Miller
Saturday, Feb. 8- Girls Varsity vs. Westover School at MSquash Sono. Players should arrive at 4:00pm for 4:30pm start.
Westover bringing 8.
- Caroline Koons
- Libby Meyer
- Olivia Davis
- Melody Long
- Sarah Kang
- Hope Jackson
- Caitlin Cronin
- Josie Spitz
Also, please note the JV girls have a match on Monday, Feb 10. We will confirm that roster soon, but top 9 players on JV should plan on playing.
Mon Feb 10, 7:30pm in MSquash SONO Girls JV vs. Scarsdale JV
Other information:
A required team meeting for all players attending Nationals will take place at the start of practice on Tuesday, Feb 11. A copy of the rules for players will be emailed to parents.
A reminder to save the date for the End of Season Banquet on Sunday, March 9. All players on all teams are invited, as are parents (players may attend without a parent if they wish). A co-pay for this will be sent out in mid February.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly Update 1/26
Hello DHS Squash families-
We hope everyone had a great weekend. With midterms completed, we now enter a very busy time!
PLEASE take the time to review all of the below information carefully. With 5 teams and 40 players, there is a lot to coordinate and we appreciate everyone’s full cooperation!
Matches this week- ALL TEAMS HAVE MATCHES!!!!
Note, we have made these rosters based on the match availability form that has been sent out via email and text to all players. If players have not completed this form, we assume they can play. (link to form is also copied further down in this communication). If you are on the roster, we assume you will play. If you can’t make it, please update us before Monday 8am.
As always, if a player is not able to attend, they should Email BOTH myself Katline and Liz Koons immediately to let us know.
- Katline Cauwels: [email protected]
- Liz Koons: [email protected]
Also, on days when matches occur on practice days, practice will be shortened to 3-4pm in order to allow players time to get homework completed!
Monday, 1/27– Boys JV/Mixed JVB s. Greenwich at Greenwich Field Club. Note, Greenwich’s JV team is relatively strong so we are bringing a mix of JV/JVB players for this. All players to take the bus from the DHS Athletic Loop at 6:30pm. Bus will return players to DHS after match. Match starts at 7:30pm.
Greenwich planning to bring 9
Roster:
- Nolan Chung
- Luke Romanowski
- Ben MacGregor
- Charlotte West
- Maria Kholmanskikh
- Aaliyah Durango
- Hamin Park
- Saige Sinclair
Tuesday, 1/28- Boys V vs. Bronxville at LifeTime Westchester. All players to take bus that will leave from the DHS Athletic Loop at 7:00pm. Bus will return players to DHS after match. Match starts at 8:00pm.
Bronxille bringing 8.
- Maddox Moxham
- Sean Roberts
- Graham Hesselsweet
- Rhodes VanDuyne
- Sebastian Kelsey
- Griffin Banks
- Henry Stravato
- Jack MacGregor
CANCELED as of 1/28- Tuesday, 1/28 - Girls JV vs. CitySquash Inter at MSquash Sono.
Wednesday, 1/29 - Boys JV vs. Briarcliff at MSquash Sono. Players to arrive by 7:00pm for warm ups. Match starts at 7:30pm.
Briarcliff bringing 9:
- Nolan Chung
- George Callahan
- Akhil Polaki
- Luke Romanowski
- Andrew Eiref
- Neev Sahgal
- James Coe
- Ben MacGregor
- Rohan Singh
Note: If sub is needed, L. Mihopoulos may be asked to play in this match.
Friday, 1/31: Boys AND Girls Varsity teams vs. Rye Country Day School. All players to take bus that will depart from DHS Athletic Loop at 2:30pm. Bus will return players after matches. Matches start at 3:30pm.
RCDS has 9 per team.
Girls Roster:
- Savannah Moxham
- Caroline Koons
- Libby Meyer
- Olivia Davis
- Melody Long
- Sarah Kang
- Caroline Schwarz
- Hope Jackson
- Caitlin Cronin
Boys Roster:
- Maddox Moxham
- Sean Roberts
- Graham Hesselsweet
- Rhodes VanDuyne
- Sebastian Kelsey
- Griffin Banks
- Jack MacGregor
- Henry Stravato
- Luke Mihopoulos
Friday, 1/31- Boys JV vs. Westport at Chelsea Piers. Arrive at 6:30pm for 7pm match start.
Westport has 16
- Nolan Chung
- George Callahan
- Akhil Polaki
- Luke Romanowski
- Andrew Eiref
- Neev Sahgal
- James Coe
- Ben MacGregor
- Rohan Singh
Canceled as of 1/29- Saturday, 2/1- Girls Varsity vs Squash Haven. at 5:00pm at MSquash Sono.
Saturday, 2/1- Girls V/JV vs. Westport Varsity at Intensity. Players should arrive at 12:30pm for 1pm match start. No bus is provided for this.
Note: We are still confirming the number of players with Westport. As of now, the following players should plan on playing:
- Hope Jackson
- Caitlin Cronin
- Josie Spitz
- Milana Melnick
- Kate Fahrman
- Ellie Charney
- Emily Pierpont
- Charlotte Straden
- Charlotte West
- Maria Kholmanskikh
Sunday, 2/2- Boys JV vs. Street Squash. All players to take bus that will depart the DHS Athletic Loop at 11:45am and bus will return players to DHS after match. Match starts at 1:30.
- Nolan Chung
- George Callahan
- Akhil Polaki
- Luke Romanowski
- Neev Sahgal
- James Coe
- Ben MacGregor
Also, please note both the Boys V team and Girls JV team have matches on Monday, Feb 3. Rosters TBA, but players on these teams should plan accordingly.
Additional matches this season:
Please note the Boys JV have an additional match scheduled for Wednesday, Feb 12, at MSquash Sono against King School at 4pm. Players may take the shuttle from DHS to MSquash at the end of school in order to get to this match.
Match Availability Form:
As mentioned above, all players should complete the Match Availability form below. We will assume that any player who does not complete this form IS available for matches.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19t9atJ0BsR6BsF76nb7dyIMg4aWlDHJOSG7JuOdRgas/edit?ts=6776ccce
Captain Applications for ‘25-’26 season
Any current sophomore or junior who is currently on varsity may apply to be considered for captain next season (‘25-’26 season). Those who wish to apply should contact Liz Koons at 203-940-0588 to receive an application. Once complete, players should submit the application directly to DHS Athletic Director, Chris Manfredonia. The deadline to apply is Monday, Feb 3.
Voting will take place the week of Feb 10th.
Upcoming events:
Please keep an eye out for Evites for Senior Night on Thursday, Feb 6 at 6pm. ALL players and parents are invited to this gathering as our juniors host a fun evening honoring our seniors!.
And please save the date for the End of Season Banquet on Sunday, March 9. Again, ALL players and parents are invited to this special evening as we celebrate the end of a great season. (Players may attend without parents.) Dinner, speeches, awards and slideshow will take place. There will be a per-person charge for this and the co-pay for this will be sent out in February.
Last, a reminder to those attending High School Team Nationals to please complete the co-pay and submit the permission form to the DHS Athletic Director, Chris Manfredonia.
Best Regards,
Katline
1/19/25
Hi DHS Squash Families-
We hope this finds everyone enjoying the long weekend! With the end of midterms in site, we have a quiet few days, but then quickly ramp up with lots of matches. As always, please review the below information carefully!
PRACTICE this week Due to midterms, we again have a scaled back practice schedule. Players should be there on Thursday and either Friday or Sunday
- No practice Mon-Tue-Wed
- Thursday, Jan 23rd
- : 3-4:30pm
- 🚍🚍🚍BUS WILL BE PROVIDED
- This is our Robert Taylor Photoshoot 📸📸📸 day - ALL PLAYERS FROM ALL TEAMS ARE REQUESTED TO BE THERE IN UNIFORM for photos of the yearbook!
- Friday, Jan 24th
- 3-4:30pm - 🚍🚍🚍WILL BE PROVIDED
- Sunday, Jan 26th
- 3-4:30pm
Roster:
- Caroline Koons
- Libby Meyer
- Olivia Davis
- Melody Long
- Sarah Kang
- Caroline Schwarz
- Hope Jackson
- Caitlin Cronin
- Milana Melnick
- Katherine Fahrman
- Ellie Charney
Saturday, Jan 25- Boys Varsity vs. Squash Haven at Yale. All players should take the bus that leaves from the DHS Athletic Loop at 9:15am. Match starts at 11am. Bus will return players to DHS when match is complete.
Roster:
- Sean Roberts
- Graham Hesselsweet
- Rhodes VanDuyne
- Sebastian Kelsey
- Griffin Banks
- Henry Stravato
- Jack MacGregor
Please also be aware that during the week of January 27, all teams have matches (some more than one!), so please make note of the match schedules that can be found listed by team in this link: https://www.dariensquash.com/boys-varsity.html
Match AvailabilityIn order to get a better sense for player’s availability for upcoming matches, we ask that players please complete the below Match Availability form for their assigned teams. A big thank you to Jack MacGregor for creating his form for us!
https://forms.gle/Qti7YYEQwyd2aMmo8.
NEW RULES ABOUT LETTING US YOU CAN’T PLAY A MATCH
Please respect the following rules for match attendance:
- If you cannot make it to a match, let us know at least 48hrs beforehand. Exceptions should be rare and have a very good reason.
- Please ALL PARENTS: mark your availability for the upcoming matches in the following survey: MATCH ATTENDANCE SURVEY DHS SQUASH
- Please ALL PARENTS: if you see your child's name still on a list incorrectly, - PLEASE ALERT LIZ KOONS AND MYSELF VIA EMAIL
- Please ALL STUDENTS: if you receive texts and you see your name still on a list and you cannot make, EMAIL and TEXT the group so we know you won't be able to make it
Co-Pays remindersA reminder to please complete payment asap to the team uniform replenishment fund. As some of you may know, the Board of Education has cut the budget for team uniforms this year. Luckily, we already have uniforms for most players, but we are missing a few sizes and need to buy additional uniforms. Rather than asking each person to purchase their own, we’re asking everyone to contribute to the team uniform replenishment fund. This is the most cost-effective solution for everyone. Here is the link to make a payment for this:
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZ5V5JAL85C0ETZ_ZZ65C0C2YJ6PD5L.
Also, a reminder to parents of players attending High School Nationals to please complete the co-pay link: https://www.msquash.com/product-page/darien-squash
Save the DateSenior Night: Thursday, Feb 6 at 6pm at the Darien Depot- This is a fun evening where all players celebrate our seniors!
End of Season Banquet: Sunday, March 9 at Country Club of Darien. All players and parents/guardians are invited to this event. Players may also attend on their own. We will send out additional information soon!
And other events TBD!
Best Regards,
Katline
1/12/2025-Hi Parents and Players
We had a busy week on the courts and now onto midterms! We wish everyone a successful midterms series, let’s stay calm and confident and put in the hard work, and then we will all do great!
Some results of this week which deserve a big CONGRATULATIONS to ALL!
- JV girls had a close match with Rye 3-5
- Varsity Boys beat Westport 9-2
- Varsity Girls beat Westport 7-0
- Varsity Boys beat Greenwich 4-3
- JV Boys had a tough match vs the team from Squash Haven 0-9
A few important reminders:
Practices this week:
A reminder that during midterms, we will run a revised practice schedule in order to accommodate players’ exam schedules.
Here are five reasons why we keep on prioritising exercise even during midterms:
1. Problem-solving : Exercise and problem-solving have an interesting relationship. Sport gives you a new perspective on problem-solving – including the self-knowledge that you can do something – which you can then apply to your academics.
2. Concentration and focus: frequent exercise improves your ability to focus and concentrate for long periods Exercise releases chemicals which improve your focus and stimulate brain cell growth.
3. Confidence: Staying active is correlated with better long-term self-esteem.
4. Stress relief : In high school, it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do even half of your homework and get a decent night’s sleep. Exercise can help you deal with this. When you’re physically active, your brain releases stress-relieving chemicals which are also linked to an improved mood. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed or a bit down, get active!
5. Memory: Regular, moderate-intensity exercise has been linked to improved long-term memory. While you might not be able to notice the effects immediately, it’s worth a shot!
There is no bus service from school to MSquash. Players are asked to select two practices each week that they will attend. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE THERE.
The options are:
Week 1:
- Monday, Jan 13th: 3-4:30pm
- Thursday, Jan 16th: 3-4:30pm
- Friday, Jan 17th: 3-4:30pm
- Sunday, Jan 19th: 3-4:30pm
Week 2:
- Thursday, Jan 23rd: 3-4:30pm
- Friday, Jan 24th: 3-4:30pm
- Sunday, Jan 26th: 3-4:30pm
Upcoming Matches:
Due to midterms, we have a quieter week ahead.
Saturday, Jan 18th JV/JVB match at 1:00pm at Street Squash in NYC. A bus will bring players to this match. The bus departs from the DHS Athletic Loop at 11:15 and will return players to DHS after the match. We are still confirming numbers with the other team, but ask the following players to plan on playing:
- Neev Sahgal (added this week)
- James Coe (added this week)
- Alyssa Polynstev
- Aaliyah Durango
- Ben MacGregor
- Hamin Park
- Saige Sinclair
Match Availability:
Also, in order to get a better sense for player’s availability for upcoming matches, we ask that players please complete the below Match Availability form for their assigned teams. A big thank you to Jack MacGregor for creating his form for us!
https://forms.gle/Qti7YYEQwyd2aMmo8.
Co-Pays:
A reminder to please complete payment asap to the team uniform replenishment fund. As some of you may know, the Board of Education has cut the budget for team uniforms this year. Luckily, we already have uniforms for most players, but we are missing a few sizes and need to buy additional uniforms. Rather than asking each person to purchase their own, we’re asking everyone to contribute to the team uniform replenishment fund. This is the most cost-effective solution for everyone. Here is the link to make a payment for this:
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZ5V5JAL85C0ETZ_ZZ65C0C2YJ6PD5L.
A critical reminder: please ensure you have completed the team participation co-pay if you haven't done so already. The link is provided below, and DHS requests payment by December 20th. If anyone needs a scholarship, they should reach out to their child’s counselor.
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZ5V5JAL85C0ETZ_ZZ658UI8W7LJSC7.
Save the Date!!:
A big thank you to those who contributed to the all teams pasta dinner on Friday! Please save the date for the following:
Senior Night: Thursday, Feb 6 at 6pm at the Darien Depot- This is a fun evening where all players celebrate our seniors!
End of Season Banquet: Sunday, March 9 at Country Club of Darien. All players and parents/guardians are invited to this event. Players may also attend on their own. We will send out additional information soon!
And other events TBD!
Have a great week everyone,
Katline
-----------------------------------------------
1/5/2025
Dear Squash Players and Families!
Hope the year kicked off successfully for everyone. Here are some reminders for practices for all players:
- We expect all players to take part in 3 practices per week unless otherwise agreed upon
- Parents, you are most welcome to come and watch the matches of all teams, no matter where they are played, the players love to play in front of a big crowd.
Upcoming Matches:
If you can not make a match, please contact both Coach Katline (978) 895-7016 and Liz Koons (203) 940-0588 via text asap so we can adjust the rosters. Late cancellations mean we likey default a position and leave players on the other team without a match.
Also please note that we are still waiting to hear back from some of the below teams regarding the number of players they plan to bring to matches. In these cases we have listed additional players who are likely to be asked to play and will confirm with these players ASAP.
Monday, Jan 6 Girls JV vs. Rye Red @ Chelsea Piers. Arrive at 6:30pm for 7:00 pm match start time.
Roster:
- Milana Melnick
- Kate Fahrman
- Ellie Charney
- Emily Pierpont
- Charlotte Straden
- Charlotte West
- Maria Kholmanskikh
Wednesday, Jan 8 Boys Varsity vs. Staples @ Intensity. All players to take bus that will leave from DHS Athletic Loop at 6:45pm. Match starts at 7:45pm and bus will return players to DHS.
Roster:
- Maddox Moxham
- Sean Roberts
- Graham Hesselsweet
- Rhodes Van Duyne
- Griffin Banks
- Sebastian Kelsey
- Henry Stravato
- Jack MacGregor
- Luke Mihopoulos
- Nolan Chung
- George Callahan
Staples bringing 9.
Wednesday, Jan 8 Girls Varsity vs. Staples @ MSquash Sono. Arrive at 7:00pm for 7:30 match start.
Roster:
- Savannah Moxham
- Caroline Koons
- Melody Long
- Libby Meyer
- Olivia Davis
- Sarah Kang
- Caroline Schwarz
- Hope Jackson
Greenwich bringing 7
Thursday, Jan 9 Boys Varsity vs. Greenwich @ Chelsea Piers. Arrive at 6:30pm for 7:00pm match start.
Roster:
- Maddox Moxham
- Sean Roberts
- Graham Hesselsweet
- Rhodes Van Duyne
- Griffin Banks
- Sebastian Kelsey
- Henry Stravato
Saturday, Jan 11. Boys JV s. Squash Haven at Yale. All players take the bus that leaves DHS Athletic Loop at 9:30am. Match starts at 11:00am. Bus will return players to DHS.
- Jack MacGregor (added this week)
- Nolan Chung (added this week)
- George Calllaghan (added this week)
- Akhil Polaki
- Luke Romanowski
- Andrew Eiref
- James Coe
- Ben MacGregor
- Rohan Singh
Please note there is also a JV/JVB match on Saturday, Jan 18th at 1:00pm at Street Squash in NYC. A bus will bring players to this match. We are still confirming numbers with the other team, but ask the following players to plan on playing:
- Alyssa Polynstev
- Aaliyah Durango
- Ben MacGregor
- Rohan Singh
- Hamin Park
- Saige Sinclair
- Meisha Butler
We may also ask James Coe and Neev Sahgal to play in this match. We will confirm asap.
Other information:
Jan 10- Pasta dinner!!!
All players are invited to the second pasta dinner of the season on Friday, Jan 10th at 6pm in the DHS Cafeteria. This is a great change for players to get together and enjoy some fun social time together! For parents who are willing to contribute food. Thank you - here is the link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F4BA9AA2EA31-54183304-squash/15421531#/
Midterms:
A reminder that during midterms, we will run a revised practice schedule in order to accommodate players’ exam schedules. There is no bus during midterms to get the players to practice. Players are asked to select two practices each week that they will attend. The options are:
Week 1:
- Monday, Jan 13th: 3-4:30pm
- Thursday, Jan 16th: 3-4:30pm
- Friday, Jan 17th: 3-4:30pm
- Sunday, Jan 19th: 3-4:30pm
Week 2:
- Thursday, Jan 23rd: 3-4:30pm
- Friday, Jan 24th: 3-4:30pm
- Sunday, Jan 26th: 3-4:30pm
We look forward to seeing everyone on the courts!
Let's go Blue Wave
Best Regards,
Katline
1/1/2025
Dear Squash Players and Families!
Happy New Year!
We hope everyone had a wonderful break!
We are back to practices beginning on Thursday, Jan 2 and have several matches coming up. Details and rosters are below. Please review carefully 🙏!
Upcoming Matches:
If you can not make a match, please contact both Coach Katline (978) 895-7016 and Liz Koons (203) 940-0588 via text asap so we can adjust the rosters. Late cancellations mean we likey default a position and leave players on the other team without a match.
Also please note that we are still waiting to hear back from some of the below teams regarding the number of players they plan to bring to matches. In these cases we have listed additional players who are likely to be asked to play and will confirm with these players ASAP.
Monday, Jan 6 Girls JV vs. Rye Red @ Chelsea Piers. Arrive at 6:30pm for 7:00 pm match start time.
Roster:
- Josie Spitz
- Milana Melnick
- Kate Fahrman
- Ellie Charney
- Emily Pierpont
- Charlotte Straden
- Lola Byrnes
- Charlotte West
- Maria Kholmanskikh
Wednesday, Jan 8 Boys Varsity vs. Staples @ Intensity. All players to take bus that will leave from DHS Athletic Loop at 6:45pm. Match starts at 7:45pm and bus will return players to DHS.
Roster:
- Maddox Moxham
- Sean Roberts
- Graham Hesselsweet
- Rhodes Van Duyne
- Griffin Banks
- Sebastian Kelsey
- Henry Stravato
- Jack MacGregor
- Luke Mihopoulos
- Nolan Chung
- George Callahan
Staples bringing 9.
Wednesday, Jan 8 Girls Varsity vs. Staples @ MSquash Sono. Arrive at 7:00pm for 7:30 match start.
Roster:
- Savannah Moxham
- Caroline Koons
- Melody Long
- Libby Meyer
- Olivia Davis
- Sarah Kang
- Caroline Schwarz
- Caitlin Cronin
- Hope Jackson
Greenwich bringing 7
Thursday, Jan 9 Boys Varsity vs. Greenwich @ Chelsea Piers. Arrive at 6:30pm for 7:00pm match start.
Roster:
- Maddox Moxham
- Sean Roberts
- Graham Hesselsweet
- Rhodes Van Duyne
- Griffin Banks
- Sebastian Kelsey
- Henry Stravato
Saturday, Jan 11. Boys JV s. Squash Haven at Yale. All players take the bus that leaves DHS Athletic Loop at 9:30am. Match starts at 11:00am. Bus will return players to DHS.
- Akhil Polaki
- Luke Romanowski
- Andrew Eiref
- Neev Sahgal
- James Coe
- Ben MacGregor
- Rohan Singh
Please note there is also a JV/JVB match on Saturday, Jan 18th at 1:00pm at Street Squash in NYC. A bus will bring players to this match. We are still confirming numbers with the other team, but ask the following players to plan on playing:
Alyssa Polynstev
Aaliyah Durango
Hamin Park
Rohan Singh
Hamin Park
Saige Sinclair
Meisha Butler
We may also ask Ben MacGregor, James Coe and Neev Sahgal to play in this match. We will confirm asap.
Other information:
Jan 10- Pasta dinner!!!
All players are invited to the second pasta dinner of the season on Friday, Jan 10th at 6pm in the DHS Cafeteria. This is a great change for players to get together and enjoy some fun social time together!
Midterms:
A reminder that during midterms, we will run a revised practice schedule in order to accommodate players’ exam schedules. Players are asked to select two practices each week that they will attend. The options are:
Week 1:
- Monday, Jan 13th: 3-4:30pm
- Thursday, Jan 16th: 3-4:30pm
- Friday, Jan 17th: 3-4:30pm
- Sunday, Jan 19th: 3-4:30pm
Week 2:
- Thursday, Jan 23rd: 3-4:30pm
- Friday, Jan 24th: 3-4:30pm
- Sunday, Jan 26th: 3-4:30pm
We look forward to seeing everyone on the courts!
Best Regards,
Katline
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Week of 12/18
Hello DHS Squash Families-
We had a great first week of practices and matches! Below is some important information regarding practices, rosters for this coming week, social events and more.
Helpful Information:
- A reminder that all of this information can be found on the Darien Squash website in the “Weekly Updates” section under the High School tab. Players are also sent a link to this information via the team group chats. Here is the direct link, which you may wish to bookmark for the season: https://www.dariensquash.com/24-25-weekly-updates.html
- All Teams Dinner at DHS Cafeteria on Weds, Dec. 18th 5-6:30pm, Giving the JV Boys time to get to their match at MSquash. Thank you to the parents who signed up to contribute food. Every player is invited to this dinner (even if you are not signed up to bring food).
- We are thrilled to welcome our 4th coach, David Ames! For those who are not yet well-acquainted with David: he brings over three decades of coaching expertise to our team. David has previously served as the Head College Coach at both Bard College and Vassar. Under his guidance, the Vassar women's team achieved a commendable 58-49 overall record, while the men's team held a 35-79 record. His leadership led seven female athletes to be named to the All-Liberty League Teams.
- Our players may notice a few players who are not at varsity practice in coming days. Sean Roberts, Caroline Koons, Maddox and Savannah Moxham are participating in the US Squash Junior Open in Philadelphia and will be back on court towards the middle of the week. We wish them luck!
- The Varsity Girls Team Photo will be taken on Thursday, 12/19 at the start of practice. The girls should bring their uniform for this.
- Due to the winter break, there will be no practices from 12/20-1/1. Practices begin again on Thursday, 2/2. We highly encourage players to get on court and work on fitness during the break, as we jump right back into matches in early January!
- There have been ongoing updates to the match schedule which is on the website. Be sure to check back often.
- Unless otherwise noted, on days when teams have matches and practice, practice will run a bit shorter (3-4pm) in order to give players time to do homework.
Match Results:
Boys V vs. Scarsdale on 12/9 won 8-1!
Boys JV A ve. Rye on 12/11 lost 1-6
Girls JV vs. City Squash on 12/11 won 4-3
Darien JV B vs. New Canaan JV on 12/12 Lost 0-7
Matches this week:
Note: We often make adjustments to the rosters in days leading up to matches. If a player is not rostered, there is still a chance we will ask them to play, as we make best effort to get everyone on court. Also, some players will play in more than one match per week.
Also, if you are rostered and can not make the match, a reminder to please contact both Coach Katline Cauwels at (978) 895-7016 and Parent Volunteer, Liz Koons at (203) 940-0588 ASAP in one and the same text message. Please mention your name and team in that text message.
- Monday, Dec. 16 Boys JV vs. Bronxville at Chelsea Piers arrive at 6:30pm match starts at 7:00pm Bring 9 boys
- Nolan Chung
- George Callahan
- Akhil Polaki
- Luke Romanowski
- Andrew Eiref- Will confirm
- Neev Sahgal
- James Coe
- Benjamin MacGregor
- Tuesday, Dec 17 JVB at MSquash Sono vs. Rye arrive at 7:30pm matches starts at 8:00pm. Bring 8 players-
- James Coe
- Benjamin MacGregor
- Aaliyah Durango
- Rohan Singh
- Saige Sinclair
- Tuesday, Dec 17 Girls JV at Chelsea Piers vs. New Canaan arrive at 6:30pm match tarts at 7:00pm- Bring 9 players
- Josie Spitz
- Milana Melnick
- Katherine Fahrman
- Ellie Charney
- Emily Pierpont
- Charlotte Straden
- Lola Byrnes
- Charlotte West
- Maria Kholmanskikh
- Weds., Dec. 18 Boys JV vs. New Canaan at MSquash Sono. arrive at 7:00pm match starts at 7:30pm Bring 7
- Nolan Chung
- George Callahan
- Luke Romanowski
- Neev Sahgal
- James Coe
- Ben MacGregor
- Thurs, Dec, 19- Boys Varsity double header vs. CitySquash BCSM and CitySquashMACS has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb 3.
- Thurs., Dec 19 Girls Varsity vs. Greenwich at Chelsea Piers. 6:30pm arrival time match starts at 7:00pm. Bring 7 players.
- Savannah Moxham
- Caroline Koons
- Melody Long
- Libby Meyer
- Olivia Davis
- Sarah Kang
- Caroline Schwarz
Katline Cauwels
---------------------------------------
12/8- Hello DHS Squash Parents and Players-
It was great to see everyone on court this past week for DHS Squash tryouts!
As promised, below are team rosters, assigned practice days, and matches for this week.
Please note the varsity team photos for Booster Club posters will be taken at Tuesday’s practice.
Practices-
Regular practices for all teams starting Monday, 12/9. Bus will leave from the DHS Bus Loop at 2:25 each weekday. Players are responsible for their own transportation at the end of practice and both ways on weekends.
- Boys Varsity (Practice Group 1) 3x per week
- Tuesdays, 3:00-4:30pm
- Thursdays, 3:00-4:30pm
- Fridays, 3:00-4:30pm
- Boys JV (Practice Group 2)- 3x per week
- Mondays, 3:00-4:30pm
- Wednesdays, 3:00-4:30pm
- Sundays, 3:00-4:30pm
- Girls Varsity (Practice Group 1) - 3x per week
- Tuesdays, 3:00-4:30pm
- Thursdays, 3:00-4:30pm
- Sundays, 3:00-4:30pm
- Girls JV (Practice Group 2) - 3x per week
- Mondays, 3:00-4:30pm
- Wednesdays, 3:00-4:30pm
- Fridays, 3:00-4:30pm
As mentioned at tryouts, players will be given many opportunities during the season to move up and down the teams’ ladders, so we anticipate changes to the rosters throughout the season.
Practice Day Assignments:
Girls Varsity: Tue/Thurs/Sun:
- Savannah Moxham (Varsity)
- Caroline Koons (Varsity)
- Libby Meyer (Varsity)
- Olivia Davis (Varsity)
- Melody Long (Varsity)
- Caroline Schwarz (Varsity)
- Sarah Kang (Varsity)
- Hope Jackson (Varsity)
- Caitlin Cronin (Varsity)
- Josie Spitz (Varsity/JV A)
Girls JV A and JVB: Mon., Weds., Fri:
- Milana Melnick
- Katherine Fahrman
- Ellie Charney
- Emily Pierpont
- Charlotte Straden
- Lola Byrnes
- Alyssa Polynstev
- Charlotte West
- Maria Kholmanskikh
- Aaliyah Durango
- Hamin Park
- Saige Sinclair
- Meisha Butler
Boys Varsity: Tues, Thurs, Fri
- Maddox Moxham
- Sean Roberts
- Graham Hesselsweet
- Rhodes VanDuyne
- Sebastian Kelsey
- Griffin Banks
- Jack MacGregor
- Henry Stravato
- Luke Mihopoulos
Boys JV A/JVB: Mon, Weds, Sun:
- Nolan Chung
- George Callahan
- Akhil Polaki
- Luke Romanowski
- Andrew Eiref
- Neev Sahgal
- James Coe
- Benjamin MacGregor
- Rohan Singh
MATCHES THIS WEEK
The match schedule for all teams can be found on the Darien Squash website under the High School tab. Please note that many of our teams have matches this coming week, starting with varsity boys on Monday!
- As mentioned earlier, if players are not able to attend, please contact both Coach Katline Cauwels at (978) 895-7016 and Parent Volunteer, Liz Koons at (203) 940-0588 in one and the same text message. Please mention your name and team in that text message.
- Adjustments to final rosters may be made. Captains and coaches will text final rosters to team.
- Players will still practice on days they have matches. We will make it a physically lighter training session and will use the time to do lots of things off court: referee refreshers, match strategy, mindset work, flexibility and mobility work
- When a bus is provided, all players are required to take the bus. The bus will bring the players to the match and will return the players to the DHS Athletic Loop following the match.
- Team uniform reminder for all - Boys wear team issued shirt with their own white shorts. Girls wear team issued squash dress. Players are responsible for own transpiration except where a bus is noted.
Boys Varisty- Monday, 12/9 @ Chelsea Piers vs.Scarsdale. Player arrive at 6:30pm for warmups. Match starts at 7:00pm. Uniforms (Blue shirt) will be handed out to girls at Monday’s practice. NOTE: Boys will receive team uniform shirt when they arrive at Chelsea Piers.
Roster: 9 players
- Maddox Moxham
- Sean Roberts
- Graham Hesselsweet
- Rhodes VanDuyne
- Sebastian Kelsey
- Griffin Banks
- Jack MacGregor
- Henry Stravato
- Luke Mihopoulos
Boys JV A Wednesday, 12/11 @ LifeTimeWestchester vs. Rye. Players are required to take team bus that leaves from DHS Athletic Loop at 6:45pm Match starts at 8pm and bus will return players to the Athletic Loop at the end of the match.
Roster: 8 players
- Nolan Chung
- George Callahan
- Akhil Polaki
- Luke Romanowski
- Andrew Eiref
- Neev Sahgal
- James Coe
- Ben MacGregor
Girl JV- (Moved from 12/11) Thursday, 12/12 @MSquash Sono vs. City Squash. Players should arrive by 7:30pm/match starts at 8:00pm
Roster: 7 girls:
- Caitlin Cronin
- Josie Spitz
- Katherine Fahrman
- Ellie Charney
- Emily Pierpont
- Charlotte Straden
Darien JVB (Mixed) vs. New Canaan Boys JV, Thursday, 12/12 @ Chelsea Piers . Players should arrive by 6:30pm/match starts at 7:00pm.
Roster: 5players
- Maria Kholmanskikh
- Charlotte West
- Rohan Singh
- Hamin Park
- Saige Sinclair
Last, please keep an eye out for the MySchoolBucks co-pay request that will go out to families this coming week.
Go Blue Wave!
Let's have a first great season together!
Coach Katlline
-----------------------------------
12/1/24- Dear DHS Squash Families-
Welcome to the ’24-’25 DHS Squash Season! We are looking forward to welcoming our players to the courts this week for tryouts!
Hopefully you all received last week’s email with the tryout schedule. It’s also copied below for your convenience and this information can also be found under “Weekly Updates” on the High School section of www.DarienSquash.com.
For tryouts, please remember:
- A bus will bring all players from the DHS Athletic Loop to MSquash immediately after school each day.
- Players will need athletic wear, non-marking court shoes, protective eyewear and a racquet. We also recommend a water bottle and a towel.
- Tryouts run 3:00-4:30pm. There is not a bus back to Darien, so players will need to arrange their own transportation home. Students may not drive other students!
- Total beginners will be put in their own group where coaches are ready to teach the basics of squash.
- Callbacks for some players will take place on Friday, December 6
- Any player who has not submitted an updated medical form to the DHS Nurse Office will not be allowed on court per DHS rules.
Last, if you have not already done so, please take time to review information about the season on our website as we have lots of helpful information there.
Of course, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best Regards,
Katline
Girl JV- Wednesday, 12/11 @MSquash Sono vs. City Squash. Players should arrive by 7:00pm/match starts at 7:30pm
Roster: 7 girls
Registration is open! Please note there will be a co-pay for the season, which is due following tryouts (amount tbd pending total number of players). Anyone with financial difficulty is encouraged to contact the DHS Athletic Director, Chris Manfredonia, for financial assistance.
Students can register for the season here:
students.arbitersports.com/darien-high-school-athletics/darien-high-school-winter-athletics-2024-2025
US SQUASH MEMBERSHIP:
A reminder for those who do not yet have a US Squash membership to please open an account so we can add everyone to the official team roster and log match scores. This can be done for free by visiting: ussquash.org/membership/
Scroll down to “Need an Account?” for the free membership option.
Students can register for the season here:
students.arbitersports.com/darien-high-school-athletics/darien-high-school-winter-athletics-2024-2025
US SQUASH MEMBERSHIP:
A reminder for those who do not yet have a US Squash membership to please open an account so we can add everyone to the official team roster and log match scores. This can be done for free by visiting: ussquash.org/membership/
Scroll down to “Need an Account?” for the free membership option.