Ivy squads up for Women's Squash

This weekend, the Penn women's squash team looks to show off its new and improved look in the Ivy League Scrimmage at Princeton.

After finishing a rather disappointing 2001-2002 season (3-13 overall, 0-7 Ivy) ranked ninth in the national, the Quakers begin this season two spots higher at No. 7.

However, Penn hopes to build on the team's steadily growing experience to rise up the rankings even further.

This is coach Jim Martel's second year heading the team. The program is still adjusting to the change from nine-year coach Demer Holleran.

"Our team goal is to finish in the top-five," senior co-captain Runa Reta said.

Reta, currently ranked fourth in the nation, looks to lead the team of 12 returning players and eight freshmen.

The climb for the Red and Blue begins Saturday.

The Quakers will get a glimpse of five of the six teams ranked above them -- Dartmouth, Princeton, Yale, Brown and Harvard. While Penn did not defeat any Ivy League opponent last year, the first real test for the hopefully improved Quakers will come on Nov. 23 when they meet their first Ancient Eight foe in regular-season play.

On that date, Penn will play Cornell at home.

"Our biggest goal is to get experience from the weekend," Reta said. The freshmen must become "acquainted with the team."

The first-year Penn players are all "very close, and similar in style and ability. They are a competitive group," the All-American said.

Along with the freshmen, the Red and Blue will be relying on a core of sophomore veterans.

Linda McNair -- who is ranked eighth nationally -- Hanna Yoon, Caitlin O'Neil and Rohini Gupta will all help to make the Quakers one of the youngest but more experienced teams in the league.

Junior Dafna Wegner looks to come back from last year's injury to contribute to the squad.

"We're really excited for this year," Reta said. "It should be a good year."

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