It’s out with old, in with new in opener

A new season always brings change, but for the Penn women’s squash team, this season brings an almost brand new team.

The new Quakers open their season tomorrow afternoon against Cornell in Ithaca, N.Y.

Many believed that last year was Penn’s year. The Quakers were a veteran team with experienced players who were well versed in handling difficult situations.

However, after graduating second team All-American Alisha Turner as well as Tara Chawla, Anita Sellers, and Allie Friedman — a 2009 CSA Scholar Athlete — and bringing in five freshmen, the team dynamic has been transformed.

Now Penn will be led by senior co-captains Kristen Lange and Sydney Scott, who were both All-Ivy and All-American last season. Lange went undefeated in Ivy League play and was named Ivy League Player of the Year .

“I think we’re just as good as we were last year, if not better,” Lange said of her new-look squad.

The Ivy Scrimmages in New Haven, Conn., proved that Penn, while a strong team, has some work to do.

“There are some things we realized after the scrimmage and we’re working on everything,” coach Jack Wyant said.

The Big Red present a challenge for Penn, as they have also made some changes following their sixth-place finish last season at Nationals .

Cornell, in contrast to Penn, is considered a veteran team. All but two of their top 11 players from last year return, including captains senior Liza Stokes and sophomore Lauren Sachvie.

“They were a good team last year and I think they have definitely improved,” Lange said.

Last year, the Quakers defeated Cornell 7-2 in the regular season and then 8-1 in the Howe Cup.

Wyant knows that with so many rookies in need of adjusting to this level of play, Penn’s first few games may be challenging.

“We have a lot to look forward to and I’m really excited about this team,” he said. “I have high expectations for the game and I know our girls will pull through.”

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