Like Amalia, I participated in the squash nationals. Ms. Londono said competing against women in the squash nationals was a true challenge because she had no experience playing against them. They move the ball a lot more and their shots are a lot less predictable. But men hit harder. Coach Hamilton agrees that differences in play exist.
Men play with more power, less finesse.
But he cautions against making too much of the differences. He said it's unusual for a woman to play on a men's team, but it's accepted in some intercollegiate sports under the NCAA Title IX regulations. Squash is not currently governed by the NCAA, but, according to Professor Hamilton, it's headed in that direction. He added that the Coast Guard Academy had a woman on its men's tennis team this year. MIT's sailing, skiiing, rifle and pistol teams are coed.