Five Parkes squash players have returned from successful campaigns in opposite ends of the country with fantastic results.
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Marley O’Shannessy and Lockie Miller competed in 10 days of squash in Darwin while the Parkes High School Girls’ Squash Team finished runners-up in the NSW Combined High Schools Knock Out in Penrith.
Marley and Lockie both played in the under 15 division of the individual Australian Junior Championships and then represented the NSW Blue Tongues in the teams event.
Marley said the NSW team came fourth by one point.
“I went pretty well in my matches. I won a game this year in four that I lost to the same girl last year in five, so I was pretty happy with that game,” she said.
“Our coach was former world number 34 Melody Francis, all the coaches were great.”
Marley (14) also makes up part of the Parkes High School Girls Squash Team along with, Kacey Nightingale (16), Holly McColl (13) and captain Bronte O’Shannessy (16).
The girls came runner-up to Dunedoo in the knock out after finishing second in the Western Region Final to Dunedoo earlier in the year.
They finished in the NSW top four, qualifying them for a semi final position.
Parkes High teacher Melinda Richter had the mammoth task of filling the shoes of long-time coach, Mel Olney, who sadly passed away last year. Captain Bronte O’Shannessy said the girls wanted to play with good sportsmanship to make Miss Olney proud.
“We definitely prided ourselves on winning with pride or losing with pride,” she said.
The girls beat Leeton to advance to the final, where they met Dunedoo again, who had won through against Albury High School.
“We got one win in our round of the finals which was Holly, our bottom player. She doesn’t even play squash so it was pretty good!” Bronte said.
“And then Marley got one set and both Kasey and I went down in three but we took both of our opponents to long in at least one set which was pretty good against those players because they are good.”
The girls would like to thank their parents, coaches and Parkes Services Squash.