W. Squash boosted by Hunsicker and Hopkins

Junior Lissa Hunsicker and sophomore Abigail Hopkins have taken unique roads to get to their current positions as the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds on the Penn women's squash team. Both players will exhibit their skills today at 6 p.m. at Princeton's Jadwin Gym against the Tigers (6-1, 2-1 Ivy League). Second-ranked Princeton has lost only one game all year, a 6-3 loss Sunday to the undefeated No. 1 Harvard Crimson. The Quakers (3-6, 0-4) are coming off tough losses to Harvard and Dartmouth, and a Hunsicker victory against the Big Green was one of the few highlights in an otherwise disappointing weekend. Hunsicker and Hopkins, who are both recent transfers, have each had unusual experiences adjusting to the Penn environment and the squash team. The team's recent trip to England allowed the two a chance to develop and condition themselves for the heart of the season. "They are great additions to the team," junior Katy Textor said. One year ago today, Hunsicker was taking classes in State College at Pennsylvania's other university. Hopkins was selling children's backpacks and jackets during her year off. Hunsicker, a junior transfer from Penn State, is a local product from Wyndmoor. Clearly missing a competitive environment, she left Penn State, a much larger school with no varsity squash program, to join a Quakers squad for which she now plays No. 1. Although seemingly too small to play No. 1 in a sport where many top players dominate with size, strength and power, Hunsicker uses speed, conditioning and accurate placement to compensate for her small frame. "She's deceptive," Hopkins said. "She digs and works hard to get to every ball and offset her big, tall opponents." Her love for the game is evident. She plays as often as possible, showing up early for practice and staying late. Hunsicker is willing to take on any opponent, including her male squash counterparts. "She is an inspiration," Penn Coach Demer Holleran said. "She has a great work ethic, and it has shown in her vast improvement since the beginning of the year." Hunsicker has played well at No. 1, posting wins over all-Americans at Dartmouth, Yale and Trinity. "Her combination of mental preparation, physical effort, focus and intensity is amazing," freshman Bridget George said. Hopkins, the Quakers' No. 2 player, comes to Penn as a transfer from Trinity College in Connecticut. After her freshman year, she took a year off to spend time at home. The break gave her a chance to step away from squash, which she had played so intensely during her freshman year at Trinity. She soon realized that the further away she was, the more she wanted to compete when she arrived at Penn. "I had no idea what to expect of Penn," Hopkins said. "It is different then I had anticipated, but I am glad that I made the switch." Hunsicker and Hopkins have proved their merit and determination in staking claims on the top two seeds. "Abi and Lissa provide a morale boost and desire to win that gives the team both confidence and inspiration," Holleran said. "They are great additions to Penn women's squash."