A perceptive historian might trace Harvard’s success back to a chance encounter on a New York City squash court several decades ago. It was in this setting that Khaled Sobhy met his future wife, Jodie Larson. And it was this couple that eventually produced Amanda and Sabrina Sobhy, two of the most talented players in school history.

Sabrina is the current No. 1 for the Crimson. Last year, as a freshman, she also held the team’s top spot and finished 10-2, earning a spot on the All-American first team.

Meanwhile, the elder Sobhy merely was a four-time national champion. In her decorated career, Amanda dropped a total of two games. Never did she lose a whole match. By the time she graduated in 2015, Amanda ranked No. 10 in the world.

It is important to recognize, though, that the Crimson relies on much more than Sobhy talent. Harvard cannot best an opponent unless five individuals win matches, and in recent years, many team members have proven capable. This season, for instance, 10 players remain undefeated after five contests.

As well as basketball players have shot, runners have sprinted, and swimmers have surged, nothing can match the dominance of the women’s squash team.

Want to debate the point? Win 16 national titles, and then let’s talk.

—Staff writer Sam Danello can be reached at sam.danello@thecrimson.com