UJ continues to dominate university squash with their 7th straight title

The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) squash team has won their seventh University Sports of South Africa’s (USSA) title in a row.

This year’s USSA tournament was hosted by the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth and the UJ team overcame a spirited challenge from the hosts to win the final 4–2.

UJ coach Mike Bester described the final game of the tournament as a close and intense affair between the two universities.

Bester acknowledged that the road to a seventh straight title was one filled with tough opposition.

He said, “In recent years there has been very strong competition from Tuks [University of Pretoria], Stellenbosch and Madibaz [Nelson Mandela University].

“Our strength is the depth that we have in our squad. For instance, last year we were strong in the men’s team, and this year our women’s team was very good, so the one backs up the other.”

A name that goes in hand in hand with UJ squash is Alexa Pienaar and she again dominated the court this year. Her coach described her as a major asset for the team.

Bester said, “She is top of the tree as far as student squash is concerned and she is a banker for us at number one.”

Proving her worth, not only did Pienaar retain her individual title but contributed immensely to the team’s overall win.

Bester extended his praise to every member of the team. “They basically train for 11 months of the year and have December off.

Winning USSA for the seventh time in a row is the reward for those efforts.”