Rivalry heats up

The rivalry is as fierce as in any other sport. The mutual dislike is not hidden, and the intensity level will be pushing the limit. When the Penn volleyball team (9-3, 4-0 Ivy League) faces Princeton at Dillon Gym tonight at 7, the two Ivy foes will renew their series of ill-temper. The Tigers (8-2, 4-0) are one of the toughest opponents the Quakers will face. But the heated battle will take on a new twist when the two foes clash tonight. Princeton is in transition, which forces it to dress seven freshmen, and start three. But these rookies to Ancient Eight play will not diminish the feelings of ill-will. "They will definitely have a sense of revenge because we've beaten them ever since I've been here," Penn junior co-captain Heather Glick said. "Even though they're freshmen, I'm still sure that they will want to kill us." Although the Tiger freshmen won't be trying to intentionally harm the Quakers, it just might happen when Penn is trying to return their spikes. Ayesha Attoh, Stephanie Edwards and Lowen Cattolico are all big hitters that head up the offensive-minded Tigers attack. With a basic philosophy of winding up and hitting the ball as hard as they can, Princeton relies very little on its defense. And with 10 games of experience, the young trio is beginning to gel. "This is a very different team from last year," Princeton coach Glen Nelson said. "[The freshmen] are very good, they're motivated and have lots of talent, and are just playing really well right now. The more they play, the smarter they get." All of the praise for the freshmen is anything but talk. Edwards, the Tigers' left-side hitter, has already been named Ivy Player of the Week. But that's just the half of it. Attoh, the right-side hitter, has not only shared her teammate's honor as Player of the Week, but is currently leading the Ivy League in hitting percentage. She compliments the rest of her squad, which leads the league in team hitting percentage. The Quakers are still adjusting to life without junior Nida Germanas. The role is now being shared by sophomore Joy Williams and freshman Sue Pojedinec. The two will platoon at the vacant outside-hitter position for the remainder of the season. "We're fine so far," Penn coach Margaret Feeney said. "The team has put it behind them, and Joy and Sue are doing well. I think that in some aspects it is good because other players have elevated their play." When the Quakers head into Princeton tonight, they will not only have to deal animosity on the court, but they will have to contend with the large crowd that is expected to fill the stands. And in this battle for Ivy League supremacy, the Tigers will have extra incentive after being dominated by the Quakers last year. "I don't really want to say it," Nelson said, "but we are out for revenge."