US Coach Chris Walker's Take On The Women's World Teams
from DailySquashReport.com
November 20, 2012 - US Women's Team coach Chris Walker said the following to DSR upon the team's return from Nimes, France:
It was a great week that US Squash can be proud of. With 4 of the top 5 players out of the team for various reasons I think our final position of 13th was better than I expected.
Effectively the US was the world junior girls team, plus Natalie, and they fully recognized how fortunate they were to have this unusual opportunity together. Showing amazing maturity, seizing the week and it's demands with the iron grip of claw like talons, they were totally committed to sucking every ounce of marrow out of its bone; embracing it, relishing it and not missing a second of it.
What an incredible week on all levels - they gained so much experience and confidence in themselves and their Squash that it was priceless. Nat was magnificent as the role model and die hard No.#1. The future is bright for these youngsters and we need to do everything we can to support their journey through the rest of the junior years, then college and ultimately to the world stage to win the title!
The highlight of the week for me was when we played Australia, the reigning world champions. Our world junior team gave them a match - it was in no way a walkover and they did not concede one point without a fight. Sabrina had 2 game balls against current world top ten player Rachel Grinham. Marie Elena went down in 5 and Olivia had a great match with another world class player, Donna Urquart.
What is more, I am sure 'all of them' now individually, and as potentially future world team champions, realise that the gap between them and the current world team champions is very very achievable. You can't buy this sort of experience and it doesn't present itself as often as you might think.
Christine McKenna was our manager and she ensured that all the logistics went like clockwork. It was a wonderful team effort.
Thanks
Chris
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