Swinging away

The men's tennis team refuses to be satisfied.

And after last year, they have good reason not to be.

Despite finishing 18-6 overall and capturing a share of the Ivy League title in 2006, this squad remains hungry for more.

Although last year's campaign represented the Quakers' first Ancient Eight crown in 35 years, a late-season loss to Brown erased their chances of securing an NCAA tournament bid.

Achieving a tournament berth and defending their Ivy championship remain atop the Quakers' agenda this season.

"We just want to be responsible champions and keep playing at a high level," head coach Mark Riley said. "Our goal is to defend the Ivy championship and go on to the NCAAs and do well there."

The Red and Blue returns a strong nucleus of veteran, battle-tested players who have demonstrated that they have the talent to achieve their goals. To fulfill their potential, however, the Quakers will keep an eye on maintaining strong team chemistry.

"I think our strongest attribute is that all of us are really close and we trust each other," sophomore standout Jonathan Boym said. "We're pretty much all there for each other and when a match is on the line, we can count on a [teammate] to step up."

Although the Quakers are confident that they field a squad

capable of reaching great heights, they acknowledge that there will be challenges along the way.

Health is of the utmost concern. The players understand that no matter how talented their squad may be, injuries to the wrong players at the wrong times could spell disaster and potentially derail their championship and postseason hopes.

"The biggest challenge for any team, not only in tennis but in all sports, is injuries," senior captain Mikhail Bekker said. "Sometimes people get hurt, and in an important match it can limit performance."

Another key element of the Quakers' past and future success is the players' mutual respect for each other. Whether they are on the court or off, this group shares a tight bond.

"We have a great environment within the team - everyone is playing not only with each other, but for each other," Bekker said. "I think that's what's special about our team."

In addition to its veteran stars, this year's Penn team will feature a crop of five rising freshmen, eager to make their mark. The members of the freshman class, which includes Bekker's younger brother, Simon, hail from places ranging from Beverly Hills, Calif. to Moscow, and they promise to add even more punch to an already fearsome lineup.

"I think we have a very talented freshman class this year," Bekker said. "We have five great guys. They all have great work ethics . They're getting better and better every week."

His coach agreed.

"[The freshmen] are all good, experienced players," Riley said. "They bring depth. They make us good, so if we get hurt, somebody can jump in, step up, and do well."

Unlike last year's team, these Quakers no longer bear the burden of making people forget over three decades of Penn men's tennis futility. However, in light of last year's co-championship, the bar has been raised, and anything less than an outright Ivy League title accompanied by an NCAA tournament bid will not satisfy.

With their first match set for tomorrow against St. Joseph's, the Quakers look ahead with cautious optimism.

"If everyone's healthy and everyone's prepared well, I think we're good to go," Bekker said.

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