The U.S. Women’s National Team recorded its second consecutive second place finish at the World Team Championships, losing out against four-time champions Egypt in the final Sunday, December 15, at the Hong Kong Football Club.
The U.S. faced Egypt in a repeat of the 2023 final, and the team match played out to the same result despite Team USA’s best efforts.
Twenty-two-year-old Marina Stefanoni made her debut in a World Team Championship final in the opening match against world No. 7 Rowan Elaraby. Stefanoni, who recently reached a new career high ranking of world No. 38, pushed the Egyptian in a close match but fell short 11-6, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9 in forty-two minutes.
World No. 4 Olivia Weaver followed on court against world No. 2 Nour El Sherbini in a repeat of last week’s Hong Kong Open semifinal. It was the seven-time individual world champion El Sherbini who clinched the team title for Egypt, defeating Weaver 11-6, 11-7, 11-7.
The U.S. women’s performance matches the program’s best result with only two returning members of the 2023 silver-medal winning team. Amanda Sobhy earned her second silver medal in her sixth tournament appearance, while Olivia Weaver collected her second silver medal in as many tournaments. World Teams newcomers Stefanoni and Caroline Fouts played a pivotal role throughout the tournament providing a 9-1 record collectively as Weaver recovered from an injury.
“We are incredibly proud of Team USA’s performance at this historic event,” said Nick Taylor, the Ganek Family US Squash Head National Coach. “Amanda was our foundation as Olivia focused on her return to the court, and together they achieved vital semifinal victories that advanced us to the finals. Marina and Caroline stepped up, proving they are a force to be reckoned with. Timmy and Spencer delivered their best team tournament performances against Germany, setting a strong example, while Nick and Dillon will certainly build on their first senior experiences with Team USA.”
The U.S. men recorded a fourteenth place finish after defeating Czechia and losing 2-1 against Pakistan in the 13-16 playoffs. U.S. No. 1 Timmy Brownell finished the tournament with a 4-1 individual match record. Nicholas Spizzirri and Dillon Huang both earned their first senior caps and wins for Team USA.
The 2024 WSF World Championships marked a historic first in being the first edition of the tournament with the men’s and women’s event being held alongside each other.
For more tournament coverage visit wsfworldteams.com.