In U.S. College Women’s Squash, a team is made up of 10 players ranked one to 10 in order of ability. The team order is established by a team ladder. A team ladder is a list of players ranked in order of ability as determined by match play amongst players on the ladder.
Any member of the team may challenge another for their spot (maximum of three spots above) at any time (e.g., out of practice on weekend), and all members must accept challenges from below.
Two weeks before the end of the season the top 10 will be finalized for the remaining team matches, including the Howe Cup. The order of the final 10 will be finalized one week before the Howe Cup.
Here is the current ladder for the top 12 for the 2008-2009 season as of September 6, 2009:
