The squash team finished its season last weekend at Yale University where this year’s team nationals took place. We went in seeded as No. 3 and were expected to play against the No. 2 home team in the semi-final. And we did play them, but based on the crowd and atmosphere, it was us who were enjoying a home court advantage.

A few weeks before the tournament, we started to hear rumors that a bunch of fellow students were considering driving down to Yale and see our matches. About two weeks ago, we were told that the Students’ Association was actually sponsoring a bus that would drive to New Haven. However, at least 15 would have to buy a ticket or the bus wouldn’t go.

We kept checking what the situation with the tickets was throughout the next two weeks. 5, 7, 13… 22! Wow, the bus was really going! On the Thursday before nationals, only a few seats were available. Everyone was excited.

We beat Cornell in the quarter-final match and were very relieved afterward as we knew that about 50 fans were traveling down for the semi-final. We simply couldn’t have lost the Cornell match.

It was Saturday and time to get on court against Yale and play for a place in the finals. Everyone was nervous. We were expecting the courts to be packed with enthusiastic Yale fans that would outnumber our fan bus completely.

While we were still warming up as a team, the Yale team was standing on the center court waiting for us. After the warm-up, we calmly walked up to the court and quickly were amazed: Over 50 Rochester fans standing, clapping and shouting “U of R” in a way we have never seen before. We walked on court and felt so proud of our fans. It was going to be a home match against Yale, at Yale.

I spoke to the guys after the match and everyone agreed that that was one of the coolest things they have ever experienced during their squash careers. Unfortunately we couldn’t get a win from the match but I assure you that every one of us played their hearts out in front of that crowd.

That was something we will never forget. Thank you for all the fans who came down — you were incredible. Go UR!