Fuss ends career in winning fashion

In Liz Fuss' final game on the Ringe squash hardcourts, a confident Penn women's squash team demolished a weaker Johns Hopkins squad, 9-0. As senior captain Fuss was efficiently dismantling her opponent, 3-0, the entire Red and Blue squad was doing the same in easily defeating the Blue Jays. In quiet, efficient, Fuss-like fashion, the Quakers dominated a clearly lesser opponent, winning each of the nine individual matches 3-0. The disparity between the two teams was evident, not only in the blowout Monday afternoon, but also in their respective positions in this weekend's Howe Cup. While Penn scarcely missed the first division of the Cup, Hopkins soundly resides in the fourth and final division. Fuss' four-year squash experience has been memorable for both herself and her teammates. "Liz has a quiet determination," sophomore Jill Viola said, "She is doing a great job as captain and represents Penn squash very well." Fuss came to Penn with virtually no squash experience and has worked long hours to compete in the Ivy League, which includes most of the premier collegiate squash programs. "I have a lot of respect for her," junior Jenna Bertocchi said. "She showed how working hard lets you achieve." It has been a long journey for Fuss. She has gone from her early days as an inexperienced freshman playing against veteran upperclassmen to her current situation as the team's only senior, an elder statesman on a younger, developing Quakers team. "The thrill of competition will definitely be missed," Fuss said. "I look back at a great four years. In looking ahead to next year, without practices or matches, I begin to appreciate what I have now." Her toughest match this year was a match-deciding, fifth-game loss to Amherst earlier this year. Fuss, still upset over the loss, came back the next weekend in the Red and Blue's biggest match of the year versus Dartmouth. She personally avenged her loss and soundly defeated her Big Green opponent, 3-1. Fuss and the Quakers get a chance to settle the score from their two most difficult matches of the year -- two 5-4 losses to Amherst and Dartmouth -- this weekend at the Howe Cup in New Haven, Conn. The Cup begins Friday, and the Quakers will play five matches in three days in an attempt to defend their second division Howe Cup title. "Playing squash has been a great experience," said Fuss. "It is perhaps the most memorable experience I will take from Penn."