M. Tennis face Harvard, Dartmouth

This weekend, with matches at Dartmouth and Harvard, will be Penn's biggest challenge so far this season. It marks the first time the Quakers have met two exceptional teams, back to back. After finishing with a conference record of 3-6 last year, Penn is sitting on top of the Eastern Intercollegiate Tennis Association with a flawless 4-0 record. By knocking off perennial powerhouse Princeton, the Red and Blue have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the league. The EITA is a conference comprising all eight Ivy League teams, plus Army and Navy. Last year, Columbia and Princeton finished 1-2. So far both the Lions and Tigers have lost in conference play. Although the EITA season is less than half over, only three teams are still unbeaten -- Penn, Dartmouth and Harvard. If it can defeat both the Big Green and the Crimson this weekend, Penn could finish the season atop the EITA standings for the first time since 1971. But it won't be easy. Although the Quakers are blessed with eight returning letterwinners, and according to Coach Gene Miller "the biggest recruiting class in Penn tennis history" this season, the talent level of their opponents this weekend is impressive. Harvard, which has the last two EITA Rookies of the Year in Todd Meringoff and Mitty Arnold, was No. 25 in the nation this season, beating such opponents as Indiana and then-No. 25 Texas A&M.; The Crimson narrowly lost to No. 8 Texas Christian, 4-3. Dartmouth has also had a good season so far, amassing an 8-4 record with wins against St. John's and Army. At the Cornell Spring Classic in February, the Big Green's Matt Folles walked off as the "A" flight singles champion. Last year Penn lost to both teams in the same weekend and cited poor doubles play as the reason for its loss. This year, with a combination of three strong doubles teams and increased depth in singles, the Quakers hope to continue their tear through the EITA.