W. Tennis aims to extend Ivy streak

Princeton, Brown and Yale have already become Penn's victims. Harvard and Dartmouth could be next. After playing a rigorous non-conference schedule -- the Penn women's tennis team faced five teams that have been nationally ranked this season -- the battle-tested Quakers have dominated the Ivy League thus far. The Red and Blue (12-7, 3-0 Ivy League) have defeated their first three Ancient Eight opponents handily, knocking off the Bears, the defending Ivy League champion Tigers and the No. 71 Elis by a combined 19-2 match score. "The score shows that we killed all of our opponents," Penn freshman No. 2 singles Nicole Ptak said. "We have to keep the momentum going and good things will happen." The Crimson (9-7, 2-0), whom the Quakers will face Saturday, are currently ranked No. 51 in the nation. Harvard earned four victories over top-ranked tennis programs in their non-conference schedule -- UC Irvine, Oregon, No. 37 Mississippi State and then-No. 63 Virginia -- prior to beginning its Ivy schedule. And through two matches, Harvard's Ancient Eight record is unblemished. The Crimson defeated Columbia-Barnard and Cornell. Penn and Harvard stand as the only two undefeated teams in the Ivy League. Cornell, Dartmouth and Yale each have one conference loss. Princeton has already lost two matches. "The two teams that we were worried about coming into the season were Princeton and Harvard," Ptak said. "We've already defeated Princeton and now we're ready for Harvard." Besides being a match of the league's top two teams, Saturday's match at Harvard will obviously play a pivotal role in determining the eventual conference champion. "It's basically do or die out there," Penn freshman No. 6 singles Rachel Shweky said. "Right now, we control our own destiny in the conference. If we can defeat Harvard, this would really strengthen our position at the top of the standings. In spite of the critical nature of the Harvard match, the Quakers cannot afford to overlook the following day's match at Dartmouth. Although the Big Green look to be less challenging, Penn knows it must avoid the trap that befalls many top teams -- playing down to a lesser opponent's level. "They're supposedly not as good on paper," Ptak said. "However, they have a reputation in the league for being the team that plays the hardest." "Every win in the Ivy League counts the same," Shweky added. "A win over Dartmouth, even though not as inspiring as a win over Harvard would be, is still a victory, nonetheless." Despite Penn's tempered confidence, they still acknowledge that a potential 5-0 record -- including victories over Penn's top foes, Princeton Yale and Harvard -- would put them in an ideal position for capturing the Ivy crown. "Winning both matches this weekend would put us two matches closer to winning the Ivy League title," Shweky said.

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