Mullings wins Hi-Lyte Squash title for perfect finish
Red hot squash champ Alyssa Mullings continued her streak of dominance taking the Under-15 title at the Hi-Lyte Championships, the final competition in the Junior Squash Super Series which wrapped up over the weekend.
Mullings, who beat Ashley Lynch 11/2, 11/3, 15/13 to take the title, was also crowned Under-15 Super Series Champion, having won her age group in the series’ three previous competitions. The youngster finished with the perfect record and looks like a sure bet to take the Under-15 title at the All Jamaica Squash Championships to be held later this month.
However, even with several titles under her belt, the 13-year-old is taking nothing for granted. “I feel really good, I think my training is paying off and I feel confident but I know I have to keep working on my technique,” she said.
In the Girls Under-13 category, Mia Mahfood rallied from a two-set deficit to win the title, beating Tayla Ziadie 4/11 4/11, 11/4, 12/10, 11/7. Coming off a victory in the 20/20 Championships last month, Mahfood drew even with Ziadie, who had won the first two tournaments in the series. The training partners shared the Under-13 Super Series Trophy.
Reflecting on her thrilling victory, Mahfood said: “It was hard but I never gave up. I just kept telling myself that I was going to win and that gave me the confidence to keep going.”
In the Boys Under-15, Cameron Anderson pulled off an upset when he beat Jonathon Walker 11/7, 11/7, 11/7. However, Walker, who has been in dominant form throughout the series, claimed the age group title. Luke Roberts beat Joshua Newman 11/7, 6/11, 11/8, 11/8 to take the Under-13 title and Julian Morrison turned back reigning All Jamaica Under-17 and Under-19 champion Ashante Smith to win the Under-17 crown.
In spite of Morrison’s victory, Smith emerged as the Super Series champion in the Under-17 age group.
The Junior Squash Super Series, which kicked off in February, featured monthly competitions designed to prepare the junior players for the Caribbean Area Squash Associations (CASA) Championship which is scheduled for July 20-26 in Kingston. The four Series tournaments were played at the Liguanea Club in Kingston.