M. Squash set for ISA

"Against Penn, we have nothing to prove," Trinity men's squash coach John Anz said. "We know that if we probably play our best, we will win. We cannot be cocky against Penn, but we will be confident." Them be fighting words. The 1993-94 Penn men's squash season culminates this weekend in the ISA Team Championships. Since the Superdome was booked, the country's finest squash players will be forced to compete in the friendly confines of New Haven, Conn. The Quakers (6-6) will leave for Yale today and hope to return Sunday with a lot to boast about. Although a national championship seems about as likely as a Tonya Harding gold medal, Penn has some unfinished business to take care of. Unlike last year, the Quakers will be placed in the upper division. Currently fifth in the nation, Penn will be dropped to a No. 6 ranking due to Western Ontario's entrance into the tournament. Either Harvard or Yale will occupy the No. 1 spot, with the other placing at No. 2. Western Ontario is seeded third. As it looks now, the Quakers will open with Western Ontario, which trounced Penn earlier in the year. "I think a win against Western Ontario would be unbelievable, but really unlikely," sophomore Craig Rappaport said. "You can't count us out against Western. We will go out hard, but they are tough." However, even if it doesn't get past the first round, the Quakers could play as many as six matches over the two-day period. Penn came into the season looking for a No. 4 ranking, not expecting such surprising losses to F&M; and Trinity (10-4). And if nothing else, the Quakers want those games back. "I think our basic goal is to beat F&M; and Trinity," junior Vayu Garware said. "That's important for us. We'll be pretty set after that." Penn and Trinity have an exciting history in tournament play. Two years ago in the ISA, the two schools competed in a thrilling match, which Penn won 5-4. After Trinity's defeat of the Quakers this year, the Bantams suffered an embarrassing loss to Amherst, which Penn easily handled. F&M;, however, presents a separate task. The Quakers knew the Diplomats would be tough, but they didn't expect a loss. Led by freshman Jess Berline, who happens to be close friends with Penn co-captain Steve Scharff, the Diplomats will not be taken lightly this weekend. Scharff did not get a chance to compete against his hometown rival in the January defeat, but due to some shifts in the lineup, they very well might meet. Scharff is not the only Quaker with a personal motivation to beat F&M.; "I would really like to avenge the F&M; loss," Rappaport said. "It hurts, because F&M; is my hometown. I kind of have to beat them so I can go home." Penn hasn't competed in a match in about two weeks, and it has used the time off to regroup. The Quakers recently went through some challenge matches and the lineup may be adjusted. No.1 Scharff was defeated by No.2 sophomore Andrew Braff. Coach Ned Edwards hasn't decided if he's going to pull the second team all-American from the top spot, but it wouldn't be shocking due to Scharff's erratic play this season. "Last week we took it easy," Rappaport said. "This week it's been real intense. A lot of the challenge matches have got us into match-play attitude. Even though Steve lost to Andrew, he's still our leader and co-captain." Although there will be a multitude of schools competing at Yale this weekend, the Quakers' eyes will be focused on two specific ones. If they can defeat them, Penn will return a satisfied group.