THE COURTS
‘You really should take a lesson.’ Initially it was discouraging because after 20 years of hacking around, I had to learn the right grip, the proper stance, the correct swing. Had I learned all those things from the get-go, I tell my kids, ‘I could have been a contender!’”
Pan credits the outstanding instruc- tion MAC offers. While she still consid- ers herself a bit of a hacker, she feels improvement. “I love that it’s fast, fun, not weather- dependent, and a terrific, thinking work- out. MAC’s squash community is very welcoming, especially the women’s clinic. I usually attend Saturday mornings and Monday evenings. If you’ve never picked up a racket and just show up at the courts, someone will happily introduce you to the basics and hit with you (we even have extra rackets). Of course, I now tell everyone to sign up for a lesson!”
Another option for people considering the sport is the box league, where each month folks play five other members at their level.
Pan added, “I’m even planning to train and compete in the Howe Cup this fall in Seattle.”
RACQUETBALL
For those who want their courts and rackets a little larger, the women’s racquet- ball community at MAC is coming into its own under the enthusiastic talents of ace/ member coach Anne Griffin. A mixed dou- bles champ back in New Mexico and a tri- state winner (New York/Connecticut/New Jersey) in the women’s division, Griffin also plays a mean game of Squash. Since 2011 she’s been bringing women into the game at the MAC through coaching, organizing and showing everyone that you can go toe- to-toe with anyone, man or woman, who plays the game.
“It can be intimidating for women to see the game up close, which is why I like
to play men in court 10, with the glass sidewalls. If they see me doing that, it makes it a lot easier for them to take to the court.”
Griffin just wants women interested in the game to find their inner athlete and build their skills while having fun. She’s always on the look out for a potential player, even if that person doesn’t know it yet.
Lauri Hausafus was one of those players waiting to be discovered.
“My kids were in swim lessons. I could get the kids to get dressed really fast if I told them we could watch the racquet- ball players. The kids made friends and I bought the whole family their own rackets so we would have an activity to do together on the weekends. I volunteered my hus- band for an open spot on the racquetball league. He would come home after his matches and tell the family about the fun he had. My husband returned the favor, he signed me up and assured me it wasn’t pay- back, that I would love it.”
Hausafus learned tactics and started participating in friendly competition. “My opponents have been great men- tors to me. The racquetball community has been so welcoming.”
When she discovered the free clinics she saw her game improve even more. “I also love the intramural league, with one match a week. It’s great because
it has so many levels, there is a place for everyone.”
Hausafus heard some talk about starting a night where women can come down to the club and play pick up games. She hopes it happens says “because I need to play more to keep improving.”
HANDBALL
Handballers are a breed apart. They like to get so up-close and personal with their game that they don’t even want a racket between themselves and the ball. Heather Murbach, one of the club’s aces, was introduced to the game her freshman year of college by one of her professors. “After my first class of Introduction to handball, I was hooked. I played all four years of college, traveling and competing in the national collegiate tournament every year.”
Continued on page 42 “I also love the
intramural league, with one match a week. It’s great because it has so many levels, there is a place for every- one,” says Hausafus.
APRIL 2012 | The Wınged M | 41
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