Trinity Women’s Squash Looks To Defend National Title

Annika Haley ’26

Sports Editor

The top-ranked Trinity College women’s squash team reaffirmed its dominance in collegiate squash last March, defeating no. 2, Harvard University, 5–4 to win the 2025 College Squash Association National Championship. This win secured the Bantams’ second straight national championship and fourth overall. 

Last year, the Bantams entered the CSA Championships with a 17–1 record and the top seed in the national rankings. Trinity began tournament play with a 8–1 victory over no. 8, Cornell University, in the quarterfinals. The team displayed its depth with several players sweeping their opponents in straight sets. In the semifinals, Trinity defeated fifth-seeded University of Pennsylvania 9–0 to advance to the championship match for the second year in a row.

After trailing midway through the match against Harvard University in the CSA Championship, the Bantams fought to even the score before closing out the match with a win. Kara Lincou ’26 clinched the fifth match in straight games to secure the 2025 CSA title for Trinity. 

The Bantams finished the 2024–25 regular season with a 12–1 record, claiming their 18th consecutive New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championship along the way. The team placed six players on all-NESCAC rosters for the fourth consecutive season. 

Several Bantams also received national recognition for their individual achievements and four players were named College Squash Association All-Americans. The program has now produced 51 multi-time all-American athletes and remains one of the most decorated teams in CSA history.

As the Bantams prepare to defend their title this season, expectations remain high for the upcoming 2025–26 season. Trinity opens the season ranked no. 1 nationally, with early conference matches against Williams College and Tufts University, as well as home matchups with Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. The roster contains a mix of experienced returners and first-years with potential, positioning the team for another great postseason run.

The Tripod spoke with captains, Lincou and Hannah Chukwu ’26, and about their outstanding last season and their expectations as they head into this season. 

For Lincou, last year’s championship moment remains unforgettable: “Winning the national championship last season felt surreal,” she said. “We had won the previous year, but the other teams had gotten stronger, and we were under the pressure of defending the title. We handled our emotions well and got to keep the trophy which we were so proud of.”

According to Chukwu, the Bantams’ success was fueled by more than just talent and hard work. “The biggest factors that led us to this result was definitely our team cohesion,” she said. “Everyone worked hard to reach the same goal, but we were also friends outside the court, respectful of each other. The entire staff worked hard as well to make sure every single person got what they needed ahead of the championship.”

As the team gets ready for the new season, the preseason looks promising. Lincou told the Tripod, “This preseason has been really productive. A lot of people were training everyday even outside of captain’s practices, especially our five incoming first-years who are showing great determination for the season. Right now, the team is focusing on strengthening our fitness and building a good base for our upcoming matches next weekend.”

Chukwu emphasized that both individual growth and team unity will be key to sustaining their success: “Speaking for myself, the goal is to produce the best squash possible this season. As captains and seniors, we are going to have to step up and will play at higher positions than last year against better players, which gives us a lot to look forward to. As for the team, the expectations this year are of course to defend our title as best as we can, but also to maintain the same values that have made us so strong the past two years, whether it is to embrace our cultural differences or support each other outside of the squash court,” she said.