Bernstein hoping to keep W. Tennis undefeated

After coming off a strong fall season the women's tennis team is currently 7-0 this spring. The Quakers defeated a number of schools handily, such as Villanova, Rutgers and Loyola Marymount. Yet the best -- and the worst -- is still to come. Ivy League competition begins this weekend. The team is led by three-time all-Ivy selection Barrie Bernstein. Bernstein, who is currently ranked 67th in the nation and fourth in the East, is co-captain along with Cori Sibley. Both have strong singles records this spring, as Bernstein is 6-1 in the top spot while Sibley is 7-0 in the fifth position. The Quakers have also been helped greatly by the strong play of two freshmen. Lara Afanassiev and Andrea Grossman have filled in well in the third and sixth positions. Both have strong records this spring, losing a total of two matches between them. Unlike teams of past years, which were normally headed by stronger doubles than singles players, this year's team is quite balanced. "We have a good mix," Penn coach Cissie Leary said. "We have a good balance of singles and doubles along with strong senior leadership." Penn will need that leadership tomorrow when Princeton comes to town for a 1 p.m. match at Lott Courts or the Levy Tennis Pavilion, depending on the weather. The Tigers are a team against which the Quakers have traditionally struggled. Much like the rivalries in basketball and football, this match holds an intense level of competition typical of a Penn-Princeton matchup. Princeton (3-0) has a formidable lineup of players. The Tigers have also fared well, beating the likes of Iowa State and Colorado State. Unlike other sports in which the Ivy League is seen as second rate, the women's tennis teams of the Ancient Eight are some of the best in the nation. This will provide quite a challenge for the Quakers, who have seven Ivy League matches in the upcoming month. The team also has matches against other strong non-conference teams, including Syracuse and Maryland.