Athlete of the Week

Sarah Palermo Sports Editor

Anna-Sieglinde Moser ’06 understands the balance that is necessary for being a student-athlete. Holding the number one spot on the nine-player women’s squash team and the role of captain, she still refuses to take her sport “too seriously.”

Coach Jane Parker said that this is a “rebuilding year” for the women’s squash program, as they graduated six of their nine players last year.

Moser said that she and co-captain Katie Siegel ’06 have helped the new members of the team, four of whom had never played until a few months ago, learn the proper technique. She contributed to the team’s rebound win against the University of Virginia on Dec. 4 after a tough loss to Haverford earlier in the day.

Her personal match against the number- one player from Haverford is an excellent example of her balance between skill, competitiveness, and sheer love of the sport. Parker recounted in an e-mail that “Moser was not going to let a few falls and flesh wounds stop her reaching the ball.”
“In one rally, both players skidded into each other and when Moser bent forward to try to keep her balance, the Haverford player flew over her back.” Parker continued. “In comic book fashion they both finished spread eagled across the floor laughing, and subsequently replayed the rally, but without the acrobatics.”

While Parker praises Moser’s “athleticism, commitment and good sportsmanship,” when Moser herself speaks about playing squash, she reminds herself to “go in because you’re having fun.

“I don’t care about winning or losing; sometimes I don’t even care about the points,” said Moser. “I just give it my best shot.”

Speaking of good sportsmanship, Moser recalls playing against other teams who “scream and shout,” but she always tries to go in with a positive attitude.

“You should take it seriously,” said Moser, “But don’t go overboard.”

She has stuck with her sport since age 16, because she claims that she isn’t the type of person who goes to the gym to keep in shape and finds running on a treadmill “boring.” It’s the fast pace of playing squash, a game of “strategy and quick thinking,” that has kept her intrigued.

“Being part of a team means being as committed as you possibly can,” Moser said. But it’s also about enjoying your sport and having a good time, as Moser demonstrates.