PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's head women's squash coach, Jack Wyant, has announced his incoming class for the 2026-27 season. Two student-athletes—Barb Sameh and Diya Yadav—will join the reigning national champions this fall. 

"Barb and Diya bring a wealth of international experience to the program. They are lovely people off-court, enhancing an already great team culture," said Wyant.

Introducing the newest faces of the Penn women's squash program!

BARB SAMEH
5-7
Cairo, Egypt | Hotep International School

International: World Champion and team captain at the 2026 WSF World Junior Team Championships … Bronze medalist at the 2026 WSF World Junior Individual Championships … Runner-up at the 2026 Egyptian Junior National Championship (U19) … 2024 U.S. Junior Open U19 champion … Third-place finisher at the 2023 U17 British Junior Open.

Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton school of business.

Why Penn?: "I chose Penn for Wharton's top business program and the intense drive of the squash team. The second I met the team, their welcoming vibe made me feel right at home. Wharton gives me the exact tools I want for business, while Penn Squash lets me compete with an amazing group of people. It just felt like the right place for me."

Diya Yadav

5'6

Los Altos Hills, CA | Laurel Springs High

International: Two-time India Junior National Champion (GU17) in 2022 and 2023 … Bronze medalist with Team USA at the 2025 WSF World Junior Team Championships … 2026 WSF World Junior Team Championships bronze medalist with Team USA … 2026 WSF World Junior Championships ninth-place finisher … Sixth-place finisher at the 2026 British Junior Open … 2024 PSA Challenger Tour Pune finalist … 2024 U.S. Open quarterfinalist … 2025 Texas JCT finalist … 2023 Palm Hills Arab Junior Open GU17 finalist … Fourth-ranked player in the U.S.

High School: Competitive junior and PSA-level squash athlete at Laurel Springs High. 

Personal: Daughter of Ritu Badhwar and Ajay Veer Yadav… Enrolled in the college of arts and sciences. 

Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because it offered me the perfect opportunity to pursue both my academic and athletic ambitions at the highest level. Beyond that, I was drawn to Penn's incredible culture and sense of community, and I knew it was an environment where I could challenge myself, grow, and make the most of both my time in the classroom and on the squash court."
 

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