"For me to step in has been both fun an easy because [Fish and Barnaby] are always ready to help out," says Piltch, who served as Fish's assistant for three years before taking over the women's program four years ago.

Also helping Piltch is men's Assistant Coach John Ansz and women's Assistant Coach Doug Lifford '89.

"We have much more coaching than most collegiate programs," Masland says, "It's a great resource for the team to discuss squash techniques with Dave and Jack."

But don't believe that there is a special "Harvard style" of squash taught by these coaching legends.

"One of the plusses of the program over the years is to let each individual take advantage of his or her strengths," Piltch says, "instead of a set style."

Ever since Piltch came to Harvard eight years ago, the trophy case has been the only part of Hemenway that has kept pace with the fast-growing program. And ever since Piltch came to Harvard, there has been talk and only talk of a new facility Currently, plans have been drawn for new squash courts next to the Varsity Club in The Stadium parking lot, but they remain tentative and the state of the team's facilities remains a major problem.

"The facilities at Dartmouth and Yale are much better because they are more conducive to accomodating large numbers of people for spectating," Masland says. "Hemenway gets overcrowded."

"Everyone we compete with has recently renovated or built new courts," Piltch says. "Their squash facilities are relatiely superior."

According to Fish, the major burden of the lack of space falls on the JV squads, who are "enormously patient."

Even without superior courts, Harvard remains on top of the squash world, just ahead of Yale and Princeton.

We Are Family

But Holleran returns to the team's close-knit nature as the key to success and fun at Harvard--two things she plans to bring with her to her new job as an English teacher and squash and lacrosse coach at Deerfield Academy.

"I'm going to emphasize the team concept, like at Harvard," Holleran says. "You don't tolerate any selfishness, you value every member as an important member, and you don't single people out too much."

Not in the ultimate team sport--not even when they win individual national championships.