Beware Ivy League foes -- the Penn women's tennis team is stronger and deeper than last year's.
The Quakers return all nine of their starters from last year's team that breezed through the Ivies en route to a 7-0 league record, and their second consecutive Ivy League crown.
The Red and Blue also have experience at their backs. Penn gained this at the NCAAs last year, where they beat Richmond 4-0, before falling to juggernaut Duke in the second round.
Two freshman and two European talents highlight seventh-year coach Michael Dowd's impressive 2002 recruiting class.
With more players than spots available, the members of the deep Quakers squad will be battling it out in practice and early season matches in hopes of earning precious playing time.
Sophomore Michelle Yeh, one of several players battling for a spot in the Penn starting lineup, believes the best is yet to come for Penn.
"We are definitely a stronger team this year," Yeh said. "We have more depth, more experience, and I know we are all anxious to repeat as Ivy League champions this year."
The Red and Blue will be tested early and often this year. Coach Dowd has scheduled a rigorous and demanding slate of matches, which will begin at the William and Mary Invitational on Sept. 20.
It is a schedule that Penn cannot wait to begin.
"We are really excited to get going," Penn sophomore Brandy Washington said. "We have four new players on the team this year, who are all really great, and we're just ready to defend our title and keep our good team unity."
Although much of the lineup is yet to be determined, Penn's No.1 slot is set in stone. Returning sophomore All-American and former professional Alice Pirsu is ready for another stand out season.
Pirsu's list of accolades from her first year playing for Penn is quite long. As a sophomore -- Pirsu was forced to forego a year of eligibility due to her experience on the WTA tour -- she reached the round of 16 at the NCAAs, the first Penn player to ever make it out of the first round. She was also named the unanimous Ivy League Player of the Year, piling up a 7-0 record during Penn's undefeated Ivy campaign.
Following Pirsu will be a talented lineup that includes a pair of stellar junior standouts, two-year captain Sanela Kunovac and emerging star Nicole Ptak.
Kunovac struggled with injuries last season, but after the summer layoff should be ready to regain her 2000 form. In her freshman year, Kunovac was named both Ivy Player of the Year and Ivy Rookie of the Year.
All of these factor have Penn believing it can win its third straight Ivy title.
"Coach Dowd had done a great job getting us to believe in ourselves," Yeh said. "We are all expecting big things this year." Season Preview Home venue: Levy Tennis Pavilion Last year: 7-0 Ivy League, first place Key returning starters: Alice Pirsu, Sanela Kunovac, Nicole Ptak, Raluca Ciulei First match: Sept. 20-22, William and Mary Invitational The Quakers begin their fall tournament schedule in Williamsburg, Va. at the annual three-day event. Player to watch
Alice Pirsu
Pirsu is coming off a year in which she was named the unanimous Ivy League Player of the Year, an All-American, and a first-team All-Ivy selection. Scary thing: Pirsu's only a junior.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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