The Penn volleyball team opened its season to mixed results.
The Quakers emerged from their weekend at the Georgetown Classic Tournament with one victory and two losses.
In their season opener on Friday, the Quakers lost to Valparaiso 3-1.
Valparaiso jumped out to an early lead, winning the first two games with confidence.
But the Red and Blue refused to accept the defeat, battling back in the third game. Penn grabbed an early 20-9 lead and managed to hold off a talented Valparaiso squad for 30-20 win.
In the fourth match, Valparaiso quelled the Quakers' comeback and put Penn away with a 30-25 win.
Despite the score, the Quakers' saw impressive play from a few rookie players.
Freshman Michelle Kauffman recorded 15 kills, four aces and a team-high .367 hitting percentage against the Crusaders.
Veterans Stacey Carter and Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan also contributed, ending the weekend with impressive statistics. Carter notched 37 kills and 34 digs. Kwak-Hefferan recorded 39 kills and 45 digs in the Quakers' three games.
Carter and Kwak-Hefferan were named to the Georgetown Classic All-Tournament team.
On Saturday, the Quakers opened against Long Island University. Penn fell behind early against Long Island, losing the first match 30-19.
The Red and Blue came back and claimed the next three games for the win. The second game of the match turned into a marathon, with Penn eventually winning, 37-35.
Sophomore Lynzy Caton tallied 14 kills, three aces and seven digs against the Blackbirds.
The Quakers squared off against host-Georgetown in their final matchup of the tournament.
The Hoyas dropped Penn in straight sets. The Quakers came close to victory in game one, eventually losing 30-28.
Penn senior Kai Gonsorowski recorded a team-high 11 digs against the Hoyas.
Georgetown went on to win its own tournament, after defeating Penn, Valparaiso and Long Island.
Although the Quakers were hoping for a few more wins, it was still a solid opening weekend.
Because the Ivy League begins its season much later than most, the Red and Blue faced competition that had already been in game situations for well over two weeks.
Georgetown opened its season at the Michigan State tournament on Aug. 30. The following weekend, the Hoyas travelled to Charlottesville for the University of Virginia's annual tournament.
Penn head coach Kerry Carr knew, heading into the weekend, that the Quakers would be less-prepared for the tournament than their opponents.
Instead of focusing on the results, the Red and Blue used the weekend as a chance to try out new lineups and give the rookies a chance to play in a game setting.
On Friday, the Quakers will take on both Manhattan and Fordham at the Palestra in their home-opener.
Penn plays Manhattan at 3 p.m. and Fordham at 7:30 p.m.
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