The Penn women's squash team got a whiff of success last season - now it's hungry for more.
With seven of nine starters returning, the Quakers will combine talent and experience in an attempt to navigate the difficult Ivy League schedule.
Co-captain Lauralynn Drury knows an arduous task lies ahead.
"Last year's success was a turning point for Penn women's squash," the senior said in an e-mail. "We learned a lot about what it takes to be No. 1, how hard that position is to keep, and what we need to do in order to achieve it once again."
And the squad got right to work with an offseason regimen that included weight training, sprinting, agility drills, on-court practice and - why not? - kickboxing.
"First day of classes we have a timed four-mile run," coach Jack Wyant added.
It's not all hard work at Ringe Courts, though. After all, there are more entertaining ways to keep in shape.
"We have dance parties in the courts," said co-captain Elizabeth Kern. "We have something called 'the Boomer.' It's sort of loud music and it keeps practice light and fun and it keeps us sort of cheery and on our toes."
This kind of team chemistry has become a hallmark of the Penn program. With three seniors, five juniors, four sophomores and a single freshman, team dynamic is crucial.
"We, in spending so much time together, have learned to enjoy each other," Kern said. "We don't have to force activities between ourselves because we're naturally just really good friends."
Amid music and dancing, leadership is not overlooked.
"We lost two two-year captains [Radhika Ahluwalia and Paula Pearson] . they showed the seniors how to lead," Wyant said. "The good news is that Lauralynn and Elizabeth . they've kind of picked up right where those girls left off."
Take it from Wyant, who learned all about leadership -as the men's squash captain at Princeton for three years.
The Quakers have their sights set on their first Ivy Championship since the 1999-2000 season.
They'll open on the road against Cornell this weekend.In February, the Quakers will meet Harvard, which has won 16 of the last 25 women's Ivy Championships. The Crimson also knocked the Red and Blue out of the Howe Cup, squash's version of the NCAA Tournament, last year.
In addition, the Quakers are looking to take down their coach's alma mater, which won the Howe Cup last year.
Too bad you don't get points for dance moves.
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