The LCDS varsity squash team enters the 2025-26 season with a new director, new coaches, and younger leadership. With those changes, players say the program’s culture is shifting towards a promising future.
On Sept. 19, 2025, LCDS Athletic Director Zac Kraft announced in a letter to the LCDS squash community that school Alumna Whitney Finney ‘20 would become the next Director of Squash.
Finney played varsity squash for seven years, starting in 6th grade. She was a dominant force, holding the number one position for all but one of her seasons. She later started all four years while playing for Dickinson College.
The impact of Finney’s leadership is on display in another way from when she was a player.
“This is quite a full-circle moment for me,” Finney said. “I am very excited to help build and improve the same environment that shaped me as a high school student.”
Two LCDS Alumni Winston Thai ‘23 and Steve Frick ‘19 have also joined Finney on the coaching staff.
The girls’ squash team has five players this season, fewer than in previous years.
Finney doesn’t view the small roster as a hindrance, however, but instead as a, “chance to be really intentional with skill development and to build a tight-knit squad.”
Senior Remi H., a first-year squash player, said that she sees benefits in the smaller team.
“I’m excited for the rest of the season,” Remi said. “There aren’t a lot of players, but I’ll get a chance to get better and understand the game.”
Participation has declined since the program began. During the 2018-19 season – the school’s first – 81 students in grades 6-12 were involved in squash.
This season, the boys team has 15 players, seven of whom are varsity players.
“Having 15 boys on the roster creates a competitive environment because only seven can compete at nationals,” Finney said.
Because of the competitiveness, the players have been pushing each other to improve their performances on the court. Five of the seven varsity players who competed in the season’s first matches were Sophomores.
Senior Connor M. and Freshman George S. were the only varsity players outside of the Sophomore-heavy squad.
After his first match, Connor M. said he felt optimistic.
“I feel good,” he said. “[I’m] a little nervous, but I think that’ll go away with time.”
Connor M. is also playing alongside his brother Brady M., one of the five Sophomores who made the varsity team.
“[Brady] is pretty good,” Connor M. said. “Being able to play him every day makes me that much better.”
On Sept. 22, the team competed at First State Squash in Delaware, finishing with a 2-1 record against three schools.
Sophomore Dangiso M. said the team’s outlook is positive.
“This year will be quite exciting because of the talent and good coaching we have,” Dangiso M. said.
