SQUASH CANADA: OTTAWA, ON, February 18, 2019 – Team Alberta used home field advantage to stun heavy favourites Team Ontario to win the 2019 Canadian Women’s Team Championship hosted by the Edmonton Squash Club. Meanwhile, the 2019 Canadian Men’s Team Championship was hosted by Club Sportif MAA in Montreal where powerhouse Team Ontario captured the title in dominating fashion over Team Quebec #1 ending their hopes for a three-peat.
As the women’s event started, Team Ontario and Team Alberta were seeded number one and number two respectively as well as went undefeated in round robin play. As the Championship Final began, the first match went to Ontario’s Hollie Naughton as she easily defeated Alberta’s Jackie Moss 11-2, 11-5, 11-4 to put Ontario on the verge of the title. But not to be outdone, Alberta evened the encounter as their top player and reigning Canadian Singles Champion Danielle Letourneau stunned Ontario’s Samantha Cornett (Canada’s highest ranked PSA player) by scores of 13-11, 11-4, 5-11 and 14-12. The stage was set for a showdown between the experienced Team Ontario veteran Seanna Keating and Alberta’s Jamie Laird. Keating took full control of the match by taking the first two games putting Ontario again on the verge of the title. But that was as far as it would go as Alberta’s Laird would not be defeated again as she pulled off the insurmountable comeback to win in five games by scores of 8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 and lead Alberta to the title. Congratulations to Team Alberta’s Danielle Letourneau, Jackie Moss and Jamie Laird as they turned in a performance of a lifetime to capture the 2019 Canadian Women’s Team Championship.
“Winning the 2019 Canadian Women's Team Event was particularly special for Team Alberta; it's not every day you get to win a national title alongside two of your best childhood friends”, said Team Alberta Captain Jackie Moss. “Danielle, Jamie and I grew up together playing at The Glencoe Club in Calgary. Our goal for the weekend was to rely on our fundamentals, our camaraderie and our love of squash in order to play our best. We enjoyed competing and socializing with our provincial counterparts, which is what makes the teams tournament so special.”
On the men’s side, early Championship Final predictions had Team Ontario and Team Quebec #1 who were seeded number one and number two respectively set on a collision course. Quebec #1 was driven by the chance to three-peat on home soil after winning in 2017 and 2018; meanwhile, Ontario was looking for redemption after only winning bronze in 2018. As the Championship Final began, Ontario’s Michael McCue put his team on top early with a solid victory over Quebec’s David Baillargeon by scores of 11-9, 7-11, 11-8 and 11-2. Heading into the next match Ontario’s Nick Sachvie had the opportunity to claim the title and did so in thrilling fashion by winning a five-set marathon over Quebec’s Shawn Delierre by scores of 11-8, 7-11, 14-12, 6-11 and 11-5. The “dead rubber” match was won by Ontario’s Graeme Schnell over Quebec’s Jason Delierre by scores of 11-7 and 11-5. Congratulations to Team Ontario’s Nick Sachvie, Michael McCue and Graeme Schnell for their stellar performance to capture the 2019 Canadian Men’s Team Championship.
Team Ontario’s Captain Michael McCue stated after the winning weekend, “It was very satisfying to justify our #1 seeding this weekend. The Team Championships is a major event and attracts all of Canada’s top players, so the level was high. Quebec fought extremely hard on their home court in the final. Thanks to Yvon Provencal and the MAA for putting on a great event as always.”
Squash Canada would like to recognize the efforts of Tournament Director Jeff Williams for hosting the women at the Edmonton Squash Club and Tournament Director Yvon Provencal for hosting the men at Club Sportif MAA in Montreal. Your dedication to hosting a first-class event for the players is appreciated.
Gold:
Women: Alberta – Danielle Letourneau, Jackie Moss and Jaime Laird
Men: Ontario – Nick Sachvie, Michael McCue and Graeme Schnell
Silver:
Women: Ontario – Samantha Cornett, Hollie Naughton and Seanna Keating
Men: Quebec #1 – Shawn Delierre, David Baillargeon and Jason Delierre
Bronze:
Women: British Columbia – Nicole Bunyan, Grace Thomas and Rachel Au
Men: Alberta – Andrew Schnell, Jake Hooker and Abdelrahman Dweek
For a complete list of results and final standings:
Men’s – Click Here / Women’s – Click Here