W. Squash receives praises

If Steffi Graff admired your backhand, you know you're doing something right. If Arnold Palmer congratulated you on a well-played seventh hole, you would be proud of yourself. Likewise, you would know your squash game is in peak form if the top-seeded player in the country, Demer Holleran, complimented your play. As it turns out, she did so?for the entire Penn women's squash team. After a stunning 6-3 victory over Franklin & Marshall last Wednesday, Penn coach Holleran sung the praises of her team. "I feel like our consistency has improved," she said. "I thought we had a good chance to win." Indeed, the Quakers did win due to aggressive and consistent play from both the top and bottom players on the squad. "I was really pleased with Jenna Bertocchi," Holleran said. "She played the most composed match she's played this year. She was sick, and to play with that pressure as well is pretty impressive." Fellow sophomore Katie Textor also merited the compliments of Holleran. "She played a strong match," Holleran said, "and only gave up one point in the whole match." Holleran also bestowed her graces upon the team's freshmen. "Katherine Viener looked strong and has been working on using the whole court to her advantage," she said. "Jill Viola has moved up from No. 9 to No. 6, and she's looking like a strong No. 6, which is great." The main question, however, before last week's match was how junior co-captain Liz Fuss would play in her first match since returning from France. "It was obviously Fuss's first match and she played a good match," Holleran said. "She won 3-0 and it was a good opportunity to get out some of her nervousness so she will be better for future matches." Top-seeded senior Aimee La Gorce lost a nailbiter to Margo Green, the winner of the Princeton Invitational. "Aimee played with a lot of fire and determination," Holleran said. "Green is the player to beat in women's squash." Unfortunately for Penn, senior co-captain Wendy Sullivan sustained an injury during her match when she was struck in the head with a ball. However, the Quakers overcame the setback. After a successful stint at F&M;, the Quakers were ready for a home match against Johns Hopkins. That match, however, was cancelled due to inclement weather. Confidence, determination, consistency -- three words Demer Holleran used to describe her team. And just like the words of Arnold Palmer or Steffi Graf would carry considerable weight, so to do Holleran's praises.