Victory was that much sweeter, then, when the Crimson finally defeated the Tigers, 6-3.

“It was a really intense, tough game that we needed to get through,” Snyder said. “But we knew we had the skill, the talent, the team, and the heart to do it.”

Later at the CSA National Championships in New Haven, Conn., the team entered with a 9-0 record and a target on its back as the top seed. Over the weekend, Harvard beat Williams, Yale, and finally Penn to win the national title amidst excitement and tears.

“The reason that we were so successful is that people on our team work harder than the competition,” Gemmell said. “Everyone is giving 110 percent every time.”

The squad also sent nine women—over half of the team—to the CSA Individual National Championships the following weekend.

There, Gemmell became the 11th Crimson athlete to win the Ramsay Cup, earning the title of national champion in the A division. Playing alongside her in the same bracket was Snyder, who made it to the quarterfinals.

In the B division, O’Donnell, like Snyder, concluded her collegiate squash career with a strong performance. O’Donnell won the division title, earning her the Holleran Cup.

Yet the team’s successes extend far beyond the postseason. Since nationals, many of the players have garnered numerous accolades and awards.

Gemmell was named to the CSA All-American First Team, and four of her teammates were tabbed for the second team: Snyder, junior Alisha Mashruwala (her third selection), sophomore Nirasha Guruge (her second selection), and junior June Tiong.

In addition, Gemmell and Guruge were named to the All-Ivy League team. The selection marks the second time for Guruge. Gemmell was also named the Ivy League Rookie and Player of the Year.

With such a young group of talent, the team is absolutely a strong contender to capture the national title once again.

—Staff writer Molly E. Kelly can be reached at mkelly@college.harvard.edu.