M. Tennis well-prepared for Columbia on clay

After finishing seventh last year in the Eastern Intercollegiate Tennis Association with a record of 3-6, he Penn men's tennis team has emerged as a force this year, amassing an 6-2 record in the conference. Tomorrow the Red and Blue have a chance to finish among the top three in the EITA when they travel to New York to face Columbia. Last year, Columbia went undefeated in conference play, and nine of the 12 players from that squad will play tomorrow. After defeating Miami, a team ranked 11th nationally at the time, the Lions started off this year's EITA campaign strongly, beating Cornell, Navy and Army by a combined score of 17-1. But then Columbia suffered 7-0 losses to Princeton and Harvard. Then the Lions lost to Dartmouth, 4-3, squandering matchpoints that would have ensured a victory. Columbia's strength is in its depth, with strong baseliners filling the top three slots. "But we're a bit more talented and our guys should be able to outplay them," Penn's J.J. Cramer said. One advantage the Lions carry into the matchup is the playing surface. Columbia's home courts are clay, and tomorrow will be the first time on this surface for many of the Quakers this season. On clay, play tends to be a little slower than on a hardcourt. The points are tougher and patience is the key. "On clay, you get bad bounces that can throw you off," Quaker David Graziani said. "Columbia's used to it and they know how to play through it. We're going to have to be patient." Another possible disadvantage for the Quakers this weekend could be the absence of Cramer, who usually plays No. 2 doubles and No. 6 singles. Cramer was suspended by coach Gene Miller after an incident in his match last week against Brown in which he hit a ball into the stands after winning the match. He was one of two Penn players who won his singles match against Columbia last year. To prepare for the contest, the Quakers have been practicing all week on nearby clay courts. "The practices haven't been as grueling as they could've been," Graziani said. "But we're pumped because we really need to win in order to make the NCAAs." Beating Columbia tomorrow will indeed greatly enhance Penn's chances of qualifying for the NCAA regionals.