Racquetwoman With the Winning Edge

Canada has been a breeding ground for great hockey players. Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Guy LaFleur to name a few.

But Canada doesn't grow just hockey players. Some good squash players are from across the border, and Harvard squash Co-Captain Diana Edge, hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, is one of them.

Edge was actively involved in both squash and tennis at a young age. Her father, a squash player, encouraged her to become involved in the sport. And from him, she learned the basics of squash.

"When I was growing up, there was a strong junior program which channeled young players into tournaments," says Edge. "I started off by playing in smaller tournaments. The older players offered guidance and encouragement."

Eventually, it was Edge who was taking home all the honors. She captured six Canadian National Junior Championships.

By 1983 she was good enough to play for the Canadian women's team in the World Championships, and she soon rose to the number-one spot in Canada.

Edge admits that she knew little about Harvard and its illustrious squash history. Accepted by a number of schools--including Harvard, Princeton and several Canadian universities--Edge had to make a very difficult decision.

"I had heard postive and negative things about all the schools that I had applied to, except Harvard," says Edge.

Edge advanced to the number-two spot during her freshman year despite having to switch from playing with the softball used in Canada to the hardball used in America.

"Canadian squash emphasizes endurance and long rallies," the economics major says. "I had to change my thinking and training to American squash."

Helping her make this adjustment was women's squash Coach Steve Piltch.

"He has really done a lot to develop my game," says Edge. "He is terrific. He helped me sort out my difficulties."

In her two years as captain, Edge rarely had to exert authority.

"I like to lead by example," says Edge. "Everyone was self-motivated on the team. As a captain, I pass on my experience to the other players and help them with their games."

"Diana came here as an outstanding player, and over the past four years, it has been exciting to watch her develop into an outstanding leader," says Piltch.

"Diana epitomizes Harvard squash," sophomore Hope Nichols says. "What it represents, court demeanor and how squash should be played. She is Harvard squash."

Class Act

Edge's game is sound in every aspect, but the talent which receives the most attention from squash observers is her imcomparable quickness and power on the court. She scrambles well, returning seemingly impossible shots, and exerts inordinate pressure on her opponent by volleying balls that many would let bounce. Her fluid style provides inspiration to all the players on the team.

"Her shots are so crisp," says Nichols. "Her movement is fantastic. You can learn a lot just by watching her."

"It was great working with her," freshman Stephanie Clark says. "I hate to see her go. She is what I want to be in four years. She is a great person and a beautiful squash player."

"She's awesome," teammate Jenny Holleran says. "She's a tremendous leader and a great motivator. She's a perfect role model."

At the beginning of her sophomore year, Edge was the nation's top-ranked amateur. But during her junior year, she dropped down a notch, and Princeton's Demer Holleran took over the top spot.

Number One

For the last two years, Edge has been trying to regain her number-one ranking.

"The only way I could feel that I had improved was to move up," says Edge.

She defeated Holleran in the Harvard-Princeton match late last month. Edge then secured the number-one ranking for the season by crushing Holleran in four games in the finals of the Women's Intercollegiate Squash and Racquet Championship.

Edge had finished as the runner-up to Holleran the two previous years.

"It was a great way to end my career," says Edge. "Even if I wouldn't have won intercollegiates, I still would have great memories."

Despite the intense rivalry, the two have gained respect and admiration for one another.

"Demer is a fantastic player and person," Edge says. "We had an understanding on how difficult it is for each other."

"She's a great player and person," Demer Holleran says. "It was a friendly rivalry which has gone both ways."

We're Going To Miss You

During her four-year career, Edge posted an undefeated record in dualmatches.

Edge has been named All-Ivy and All-American four times, and she received the Betty Ritchie Award--an honor symbolic of an all around outstanding person in women's intercollegiate squash. Edge was selected by the nation's coaches and team captains.

The senior also helped the Crimson to a 28-1 overall record and a 19-1 Ivy record, including three national titles in the Howe Cup, and three national nine-women and Ivy titles.

In humbling opponents with lesser talent, Edge always displayed an appropriate mixture of humor and grace. She lent a singular air of sportsmanship to her matches.

A fresh breath of Canadian air.