Friday, February 27
Philadelphia, Pa.
All Day
Columbia
vs
CSA Divisional Squash Championship
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Lem Photography
Lions Roll Past Colby to Advance to Kurtz Cup Semifinals
2/27/2026 1:08:00 PM | Women's Squash
Columbia captures eight matches
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Columbia women's squash punched its ticket to the Kurtz Cup semifinals with a decisive 8–1 victory over Colby in the opening round of the CSA Divisional Team Championships. With the win, the Lions advance to Saturday's semifinals where they will face No. 2 Georgetown.
Senior captain Nourin Khalifa opened the afternoon with a composed four-game win at No. 1, defeating Laavanya Kugan, 5-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6.
First year Yeheni Kuruppu delivered the match's lone five-game battle at No. 2, outlasting Nathalie Sim, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 11-13, 11-6, in a 37-minute test of endurance.
Senior Amal Izhar controlled the No. 4 position with an efficient 11-6, 11-9, 11-4 sweep, while junior Eugenia Li dominated at No. 5 (11-3, 11-2, 11-5).
First year Charlie McCrone added a straight-game victory at No. 6, 11-5, 11-9, 11-6.
Columbia's lower third sealed the result in fashion. First year Isha Gupta rolled to an 11-2, 11-7, 11-2 win at No. 7, junior Advita Sharma followed with an 11-4, 11-1, 11-4 decision at No. 8, and sophomore Sophia Hu closed the afternoon at No. 9 with a commanding 11-1, 11-4, 11-4 sweep.
Columbia 8, Colby 1
1S – Sr. Nourin Khalifa (CU) def. Laavanya Kugan (COL), 5-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6
2S – So. Yeheni Kuruppu (CU) def. Nathalie Sim (COL), 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 11-13, 11-6
3S – Abhisheka David (COL) def. Jr. Kaavya Bansal (CU), 12-10, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9
4S – Jr. Amal Izhar (CU) def. Margaret "Maggie" Motch (COL), 11-6, 11-9, 11-4
5S – So. Eugenia Li (CU) def. Reshika Rajarathinam (COL), 11-3, 11-2, 11-5
6S – Jr. Charlie McCrone (CU) def. Amanda Miller (COL), 11-5, 11-9, 11-6
7S – So. Isha Gupta (CU) def. Victoria "Tori" Thill (COL), 11-2, 11-7, 11-2
8S – So. Advita Sharma (CU) def. Haley Coon (COL), 11-4, 11-1, 11-4
9S – So. Sophia Hu (CU) def. Virginia McWhorter (COL), 11-1, 11-4, 11-4
UP NEXT
The Lions advance to Saturday's semifinal, where they will face Georgetown for a spot in the Kurtz Cup championship. The matchup is scheduled for 3 pm.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
For the latest on Columbia squash, follow @CULionsSquash on X and Instagram, like Columbia Squash on Facebook, or visit GoColumbiaLions.com.
Senior captain Nourin Khalifa opened the afternoon with a composed four-game win at No. 1, defeating Laavanya Kugan, 5-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6.
First year Yeheni Kuruppu delivered the match's lone five-game battle at No. 2, outlasting Nathalie Sim, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 11-13, 11-6, in a 37-minute test of endurance.
Senior Amal Izhar controlled the No. 4 position with an efficient 11-6, 11-9, 11-4 sweep, while junior Eugenia Li dominated at No. 5 (11-3, 11-2, 11-5).
First year Charlie McCrone added a straight-game victory at No. 6, 11-5, 11-9, 11-6.
Columbia's lower third sealed the result in fashion. First year Isha Gupta rolled to an 11-2, 11-7, 11-2 win at No. 7, junior Advita Sharma followed with an 11-4, 11-1, 11-4 decision at No. 8, and sophomore Sophia Hu closed the afternoon at No. 9 with a commanding 11-1, 11-4, 11-4 sweep.
Columbia 8, Colby 1
1S – Sr. Nourin Khalifa (CU) def. Laavanya Kugan (COL), 5-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6
2S – So. Yeheni Kuruppu (CU) def. Nathalie Sim (COL), 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 11-13, 11-6
3S – Abhisheka David (COL) def. Jr. Kaavya Bansal (CU), 12-10, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9
4S – Jr. Amal Izhar (CU) def. Margaret "Maggie" Motch (COL), 11-6, 11-9, 11-4
5S – So. Eugenia Li (CU) def. Reshika Rajarathinam (COL), 11-3, 11-2, 11-5
6S – Jr. Charlie McCrone (CU) def. Amanda Miller (COL), 11-5, 11-9, 11-6
7S – So. Isha Gupta (CU) def. Victoria "Tori" Thill (COL), 11-2, 11-7, 11-2
8S – So. Advita Sharma (CU) def. Haley Coon (COL), 11-4, 11-1, 11-4
9S – So. Sophia Hu (CU) def. Virginia McWhorter (COL), 11-1, 11-4, 11-4
UP NEXT
The Lions advance to Saturday's semifinal, where they will face Georgetown for a spot in the Kurtz Cup championship. The matchup is scheduled for 3 pm.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
For the latest on Columbia squash, follow @CULionsSquash on X and Instagram, like Columbia Squash on Facebook, or visit GoColumbiaLions.com.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Squash
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/ Women's Squash
/ Women's Squash
/ Women's Squash
/ Women's Squash
/ Women's Squash
/ Women's Squash
/ Women's Squash
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