Captains of the Week: Boys’ Squash
Grace Yang / The Exonian
By CARLY CANSECO, ANGELA HE, AARYAN PATEL, and GRACE YANG
Fisher Squash Center holds ten courts — each containing four walls streaked with black residue, slick with sweat, and endless possibilities for the rubber ball to collide against. As the ball flies through the court and bounces off walls, it requires physical adeptness, mental strength, and perseverance. Players maneuver around one another, employing various techniques to place the ball strategically. Squash is a relentless battle not only of brute strength but of tactical thinking as well. When the boys’ squash team occupies these courts, the center is imbued with slams, squeaks, and shouts.
Humility, tenacity, and camaraderie are three key tenets the team upholds, regardless of their presence on or off the court. Senior Byran Huang and upper Max Liu instill these values and lead the team of 21 boys in this demanding sport.
Hailing from Hong Kong, Liu has played squash throughout middle school and his three-year tenure at Exeter. His journey with squash was gradual but passionate. “I started squash in middle school and played with my friends in school,” he said. “I treated it as an extracurricular activity and slowly fell in love with the sport. Once you try it out three or four times, you get addicted because it’s such a reactive sport.”
Liu described his and Huang’s captain dynamics. “I think as a leader, I would say my co-captain [Huang] has shown me how to be assertive at times and be able to take a hard stance and tell players to do things when needed. So, bridging that line between authority and empathy is something we focus on a lot.”
As an upper, Liu noted that he’s struggled to obtain equilibrium, support younger teammates, and still learn from older ones. “In the beginning, getting acclimated was a bit awkward,” Liu said. “However, I think seniors have shown admirable maturity in still being role models and a key part of the team with their experience. Right now, I don’t see any conflict—I support them, and they also support me and the team.”
“I feel sufficiently challenged and supported by both captains,” upper Nate Frary said. “I feel comfortable talking to them about my concerns and I never feel intimidated. They have amazing character and are both role models for the team.”
Liu also described the strengths he utilizes and the role he strives to provide the team as a captain. “I think that great captains and great leaders are always vulnerable. That brings a team closer when we’re open with each other,” he noted. “As a captain, I enjoy holding genuine and deep conversations with players one-on-one. Whether that’s coaching them off the court during a match or just talking about the meaning of life on the bus.”
Several team members attested to Liu’s passion and its positive effects on the team. “Max always has these good philosophies about the game,” prep Matias Yau said. “What I like about him is that he loves playing squash, watching squash, and everything about squash. He helped the team during preseason when he fed us balls and showed us forms, which was helpful for our technique and consistency.”
“On my first day after tryouts, I asked Max some questions as a new upper on the team, and he stayed with me for 30 minutes coaching me and giving me advice,” Frary recalled. “He’s always checking in with everyone, staying connected with the whole team.”
Huang’s initiation into Exeter squash differed. “When I first came here, I didn’t think I was gonna make the team,” he said, laughing. “I played for thirds, which is below 14th place. I had only played squash for three years at that point, quite casually, and I just thought it was a good sport to exercise with. But when I joined the team, everyone was super friendly. The captains at the time and the upperclassmen helped me through growing as a team member and learning how to play, but more so learning how to be passionate and make it feel like family.”
Now, he hopes to provide positive mentorship as a captain. “I think a good captain needs to be able to have fun and be part of the team but also know when to step up and take on that role of being a leader,” he said. “Beyond skill, which is important, it’s about being able to step up and take responsibility, communicate with both the coaches and the team and keep a cohesive, brother-like environment.”
“Byran is the ultimate hype-man,” Frary added. “He leads the team with high energy and makes everyone feel supported and encouraged. At matches, he is always walking up and down the courts to watch and support even the low JV matches.”
“He’s like a steady force,” Yau added. “He consistently comes to practice with an energy that motivates others to work hard. You can always count on him to be upbeat.”
“I’m honored that people think of me like that, to be someone who could be looked up to as a mature person. And it is hard to step up to the role but I want to tell people to believe in yourself, if you don’t believe in yourself, you can get it done.” Huang concluded the core lesson during his time as a squash player, captain, and an Exonian.
Huang credits former captains Eric Zhang and Sean Wu as significant influences on how he approached captaincy. “When I first came, Sean and Eric were just incredible people who took me through what it was like to play on a team and encouraged me,” he said. “They would push me but never make me feel uncomfortable in the way that they were pushing me. It’s just building this camaraderie that just flows through our team. And I want to continue that legacy.”
Coach and Instructor in Classical Languages Paul Langford also commended Huang and Liu for their significant contributions. “Max and Byran are always dedicated to improving and provide both encouragement and humor to all team activities. They fight hard in every challenge match and team match, even though, given their ranks on the team, they often compete against players from other schools that are rated higher.”
With nationals impending, both captains hope to lead the team and take home the banner for the team in hopes of achieving higher rankings. “Right now, we are ranked 11th in the boy’s division,” Liu said, “And we have very good chances against some of the teams in the top 10. Those matches are coming up in the next one or two weeks, and I’m looking forward to beating them and securing a spot in the top division.”
Beyond rankings, both captains hope to leave positive legacies. “I want to pass on the message that as long as you set your mind to it, people can step up into leadership roles,” Huang said. “Even if you start in 20th place, you can be captain, you can play varsity, and you can be someone that, in four years, people look up to.”