Perfection within grasp of W. Squash

Three days ago, the women's squash team officially reclaimed the top spot in the College Squash Association rankings.

Now, the Quakers (10-0, 5-0 Ivy) look to close out the perfect regular season that eluded them last year, as they travel north to take on Harvard and Dartmouth.

"We're focused on Harvard," coach Jack Wyant aid. "Traditionally, they've been the stronger team."

Not this year, though. The Crimson (5-1, 3-0) are ranked third in the country, with their sole loss coming at the hands of Trinity (whom Penn previously defeated 7-2).

The Crimson enter Saturday's match as the clear underdog. It's a role they have relished against Penn. The last time the two teams met, in last season's Howe Cup semifinals, No. 3 Harvard upset No. 2 Penn 6-3 to reach the finals.

The Quakers, however, don't mind being favored, and are confident they can avoid a similar fate this time around.

"It's huge to be ranked No. 1," said No. 5 Britt Hebden. "We just have to keep the same mindset that we've had all season."

After the Harvard match, Penn will hit the road again on Sunday for an 11 a.m. battle in Hanover, N.H.

No. 6 Dartmouth (9-4, 2-2) will be playing its third match of the weekend, facing Princeton and Middlebury on Saturday.

The Big Green lack the Quakers' strength at the top, but they do boast five players ranked in the individual top 50.

Penn last lost to Dartmouth in 2005, but has won three straight matches against the Big Green since.

With two wins this weekend, the Quakers would complete their first undefeated regular season and win their first Ivy championship since the 1999-2000 season, when they finished 11-0.

A perfect season would "give us a lot of confidence," Hebden said. "We're already a great team, but to have that title would only add" to the team's legacy.

Still, perfection is seen more as a bonus to a good season than as a primary goal.

"I've always said that we have the hardest working team," Wyant said. "If we have a successful weekend, it would be a just reward for the hard work that the kids have put in since they've been here."

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