What a difference a year makes. Or at least that's what the Penn men's tennis team is telling itself.
Last year's freshmen-laden Penn team opens the fall season with high hopes of improving on its 12-11 record in 2001.
With the loss of only two varsity players, the Quakers return five players who saw significant playing time. Two freshmen and two transfers will also add to a deeper and more experienced lineup.
"Last year, we were talking about competing and representing ourselves," Penn coach Mark Riley said. "This year, we're talking about winning. "Instead of talking about getting into the quarters, we're talking about how to get to the finals and winning it."
Last year, the Quakers had to rely on the freshmen, who comprised the core of the team. Inexperience and youth led to a dismal 2-5 Ivy League record, placing Penn in the bottom half of the conference.
However, this year, Penn hopes the story will be a different one.
The Quakers will now rely on their more experienced sophomore class, who knows what it takes to win.
After "a year of experience, they're feeling much better," Riley said. "The freshmen who have been there before know how difficult it is. This year, they'll be ready to go."
One of the few veterans on this young Quakers' team is big-serving senior captain Ryan Harwood, who will provide the Red and Blue's need for leadership.
Last year, Harwood played behind Penn's leading sophomore David Lynn, who was named to the 2001-2002 second All-Ivy team. As a freshman, Lynn reached the round of 16 in the prestigious ITA Regional Championships.
What will set the Quakers apart from the rest of Ivy League foes will be Penn's supporting cast, however. The talented rest of the roster consists of a trio of talented sophomores Todd Lecher, Anthony Pu and Craig Rubin.
The southpaw Lecher spent most of his time at the No.5-6 singles spot, posting a solid rookie season of 13-9.
Pu will also add formidable depth to the singles and doubles positions. Towards the end of spring season, Pu peaked, winning all his singles matches in the month of March and posting 10 wins in doubles play.
Rubin who is recovering from a wrist injury will look to improve on his 9-5 singles record from last year.
The rest of the varsity spots will be up for grabs. Riley looks forward to senior Andrew Kolker returning in January after an ACL injury. But as of now, Riley believes junior college transfer, Alex Fritz can contribute immediately.
"He comes in with a certain type of maturity and expects to win," Riley said.
As for the other freshmen recruits, Riley believes the reliance on freshman contribution is not as urgent as last year's.
"If there's somebody we feel is not that ready, we can always work on them to contribute in the spring or in future years," Riley said.
In the upcoming fall season, Penn will test its potential in a series of tournaments before battling Ivy League opponents in the spring season.
The Quakers will enter the Navy and Princeton Invitational next weekend and then head off to the ECAC championships, before concluding their season at the ITA Regional Championships in late October.
Season Preview Home court: Levy Pavilion Last year: 12-11 Key losses: Fanda Stejskal, Brian Barki Key returners: David Lynn, Anthony Pu, Craig Rubin, Todd Lecher, Ryan Harwood, Andrew Kolker Key Dates: ECAC Championships, Oct. 7-10 ITA Regionals, Oct. 26-29 The highlights of the Fall season are the ECAC Championships in Flushing, N.Y., and the ITA Regionals at Levy Pavilion in University City. Player to Watch
Ryan Harwood
Harwood posted back-to-back 20-win seasons his first two years before winning 11 matches, four in Ivy play, last year. He also had 15 wins in doubles action last season.The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
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