M. Tennis has sights on NCAA tourney

Michael HasdayMichael HasdayDaily Pennsylvanian Sports Writer Penn coach Gene Miller tried to play down the speculation of what each scenario means for his team's NCAA chances. "We'll just try to prepare, and at the end we'll see where they settle," he said. However, the players know the story about what these matches mean. "If we lose both, our chances are pretty slim," junior Neil Aaronson said. "If we win both, it puts us in the front running for the fourth spot, and if we split it puts us on the borderline." A split could be considered a victory for Penn (14-5, 3-1 EITA) even though the two matches are at home. The Crimson, currently ranked 14th nationally, and Dartmouth both tied for first last year along with Yale in the EITA. The Quakers feel they have a good chance against Dartmouth, and against Harvard?well, anything is possible. "They're the elite team in the league," sophomore Jeff Jackson said of Harvard. "We have to play our best to have a chance. We need to have everything to go our way to win, but I think it's possible." Miller insisted that Harvard (4-3, 0-0) can be upset. Penn is peaking and Harvard does not like playing outdoors, he said. Therefore, Penn might be able to upset Harvard's rhythm -- although Miller conceded "they have some great players." "They could come out and sweep us if they come out well, or we can win 4-3," Miller said. "If we play like we practiced today, and just keep it up, we can upset them." It is that attitude Aaronson feels is crucial against the Crimson. "The key against Harvard, I think, is believing we can win," Aaronson said. "This is the weakest Harvard has been in a while. If we can believe in ourselves we can win. We just all have to play solid tennis matches." After Harvard, Dartmouth (5-7, 0-0) by comparison might seem like a gut, even though the Big Green is one of the best teams in the league. After playing a National powerhouse, will "just" playing an Ivy power be a letdown? Freshman J.J. Cramer, who is returning from an ankle injury, said Dartmouth will be "tough." "I feel pretty confident we can win," Cramer said. "Its going to be close. Every match is going to be important. I think a lot rides on how we play doubles. Probably whoever wins the doubles will take the match." The doubles play has been shaky all season and often had a carryover effect to the singles matches. Against West Virginia and Princeton, the team seemed to lose steam after losing the doubles point, and ended up getting routed in singles play. However last Friday against Army, the team bucked that pattern. Penn lost the doubles, but came back strong in singles play, handily winning the singles and match overall. "Right now we're stronger in singles than doubles," Miller said. "We're playing solid doubles, we've just ran against stronger teams. I wouldn't say [doubles] will have an effect, win or lose." Penn will be facing its most difficult test in the next two days -- with its dreams on the line. No pressure.