Written By: Eva Juarez-Lace and Isabella Liu

Excitement has been building up in the Rye Country Day School Boys’ Varsity Squash season, with the team demonstrating their determination and ambition early on. Entering this season, this team faced major changes as five seniors graduated last year, making this year’s roster very young. Despite this transition, practices have remained vigorous and focused most on fitness, with the goal of becoming extremely physically prepared. This focus has increased team bonding and helped players challenge one another to push their limits.

The team’s hard work has already been shown in their preliminary matches. The team has gone head to toe with some of the highest ranked teams in the country, competing very closely in each game. One of the highlights of their season was a dramatic 4-3 win against Hopkins, a match that showed the team’s hard work and perseverance. 

Captain and Harvard Squash commit, Winn Metrailler ‘26 picked up a huge win against the number one player from Brunswick, a Yale commit. The Game “was a huge confidence boost for both me and the team,” Metrailler said. “It showed that we can compete with anyone.” As team captain, Metrailler has embraced his role. “Our team is very close-knit, and I’ve really enjoyed stepping into a leadership role this year,” he says. “Pushing one another every day has brought us closer together and raised our overall level.” 

Sophomore Chris Estill ‘28 expands on Metrailler’s statement, describing the Hopkins match as his favorite moment. “It was such a tight match, and everyone went pretty far,” Estill said. “That really showed how strong our team connection is.” 

The team continues to strengthen their connection off the squash court through team bonding, which includes activities that the players and team manager helped organize.

The team is excited for an upcoming match against Hotchkiss, the defending national runners-up. Additionally, as nationals are quickly approaching, the squad is excited and confident. After ending with a top 10 finish last year, the team is hoping to achieve another Division I appearance. Estill reflected, “we are looking to do the best for the school” as they are striving to place in the top 8 this year. The players are seeking to get its fourth consecutive NYSAIS championship.

The team has a strong sense of community, dedication to growth, and several fresh faces.  Boys’ Varsity Squash turned this rebuilding season into a strong foundation for continued success. The players will continue to prove their skills while up against the best teams in the nation as the season moves forward.