One team stands in the way of Princeton going undefeated in Ivy League play this season: the Quakers.
Although the League title is out of its reach, Penn's volleyball team (17-8, 10-3) still has plenty to play for tonight when it hosts Princeton in its season finale at 7 p.m. at the Palestra.
In addition to having the opportunity to derail the Tiger's plans for League perfection, the match is an emotional showdown of the top two teams in the Ivies and rematch of the September 29 battle won by Princeton, 3-2.
And the Quakers haven't forgotten.
"We're such a different team now than when we first played them," senior captain Laura Black said.
The Quakers were two games behind Princeton (21-3, 13-0) in League play before losing to Yale last weekend. The Tigers, on the other hand, beat both Yale and Brown, effectively clinching the title.
Quakers coach Kerry Carr said she expects her team to play like the one that spent most of the season in striking distance of the defending League champs.
"I don't have to get my team up to play Princeton," said Carr, who will lose four seniors from this year's team, three of which are starters. "When all is said and done, we want to show we're the better team."
The Tigers come to the Palestra armed with Parker Henritze, who is likely to be the League's Player of the Year. The 5-foot-11 outside hitter leads the league in kills, averaging almost five a game, and sports a .239 hitting percentage.
Lindsey Ensign, who leads the league in hitting percentage, and outside hitter Sheena Donohue have also played big all year for the Tigers.
The Quakers will counter with middle blockers Kathryn Turner and Natalie Drucker. The pair are first and second in the League in blocks, a talent that could prove necessary against Princeton's powerful attack.
Seniors Black, Anna Shlimak and Linda Zhang and freshman Julia Swanson lead Penn's offense.
Black, Swanson and Shlimak combine to lead Penn to a .236 hitting percentage - second in the Ancient Eight only to Princeton.
Last weekend's loss to Yale may have dampened the Quakers' spirits, but only temporarily. A win tonight would earn them a measure of payback against the Tigers and end the year on a high note.
"Princeton's our rival, whenever we play them that's on our mind," Turner said. "They're good, but they're not as good as they think they are."
Either way, Carr says she is very pleased with her team's overall performance this season.
"I think this was obviously a glowing year for us," Carr said.
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