PHILADELPHIA - Freshman Jamila Tamer pushed the The University of Pennsylvania women's squash team (3-0) past the No. 4 Stanford Cardinal on Friday night. Penn earned wins in positions one through five including a five-game thriller at no. 3 to defeat Stanford, 5-4. The Quakers avenge both losses from last season which included a narrow 5-4 loss in consolation finals of the Howe Cup. 

How it Happened

To begin the afternoon, Penn would go with Jessica Davis, Julia Buchholz, Clare Kearns, Margaret Frantz, and Margaret Brody on court. Buchholz came out firing as the experienced sophomore breezed through the opening game 11-2 and before anyone else could win a game, she took the second 11-6. 

Playing on the adjacent court, Davis finally joined Buchholz and got on the board. The junior won the first 11-5 and then as Buchholz lost the third, Davis, down 9-8, won three straight points to win 11-9 to go up a commanding 2-0. 

Buchholz bounced back after losing the third 11-6 to take the fourth herself 11-6 while Davis cruised to an 11-3 third game win to sweep. The Quakers lost matches at six, eight, and nine, but with wins from Buchholz and Davis, they would go into the second set of matches down just 3-2. 

With a straight-forward win from Reeham Salah at number one and Lindsay Stanley coming through in four at number five, Penn tied the match at 4-4 after an early loss at seven. Knotted up at four matches apiece, it would all come down to freshman Jamila Tamer at number three to decide the match. 

Unaware it was tied 4-4 she would admit later, Tamer bounced back after losing the opening game to take the ensuing two. Tamer won the second and third games 11-7, 11-9, to go up 2-1 - just one game away from closing out the match. However, that was only just beginning. 

Penn Squash fans that would normally show up at Ringe traveled well to other side of Market Street to the Kline and Specter Squash Center. With all eyes on Tamer, the fourth and fifth games were thrillers and gasps were audibly heard after big points in the crowd. 

Down late in the fourth, the freshman fought back to earn herself a match point, but would not convert. Stanford's Caroline Neave converted her third game point at 14-12 to force a fifth which would turn out to be even more thrilling. Another back and fourth set made its way to a 9-9 nail-biter. Neave had the first match point, but Tamer was able to save it. The theme would continue with both players having their share of match points with the other right there to deny it. Finally, up 16-15, the Penn freshman finally earned the two-point advantage on an interference violation to take the game 17-15 and the match 3-2. 

"The ladies that competed with us tonight and that have stuck together, have achieved some amazing things so far," said Director of Squash and women's head coach Jack Wyant. "It all goes back to the hard work that they're putting in. They really enjoy each other's company and you can see we're getting results."

The Quakers earned a statement win in their first match in their new home for the 2018-19 season. Penn defeated the No. 4 Cardinal for the first time in three tries avenging both losses from last season.  

What's Next

Penn will continue its weekend in Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday as it hosts George Washington and Virginia. 

Results

1. Reeham Salah (PENN) d. Elena Wagemans (STAN) - 11-6, 11-4, 11-3
2. Jessica Davis (PENN) d. Chloe Chemtob (STAN) - 11-5, 11-9, 11-3
3. Jamila Tamer (PENN) d. Caroline Neave (STAN) - 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-13, 17-15
4. Julia Buchholz (PENN) d. Tara Shannon (STAN) - 11-2, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6
5. Lindsay Stanley (PENN) d. Lucy Rowe (STAN) - 11-9, 11-6, 5-11, 11-7
6. Juliette Love (STAN) d. Clare Kearns (PENN) - 11-6, 11-9, 11-4
7. Amita Gondi (STAN) d. Nicole Windreich  (PENN) - 11-3, 11-7, 11-5
8. Anna Marie Manning (STAN) d. Margaret Frantz  (PENN) - 11-5, 11-7, 11-3
9. Grayson Melby (STAN) d. Margaret Brody  (PENN) - 11-1, 11-4, 11-0