Seniors go out in style

With 1994-1995 being possibly the best year of athletics in Penn history, the women's tennis team had a chance to be among the elite of this year's crop of teams. Going into Saturday's match at Lott Courts the Quakers were 12-3 and about to face off against Columbia, the worst team in the Ivy League. A win would solidify an already excellent year, while a loss would be a major disappointment after all the Quakers had accomplished. The Quakers did not allow themselves to falter, as they walked over Columbia 7-0. The tone of the match was set early when Penn swept all three doubles matches. The doubles have been big for the Quakers all year, and once again they put Penn in the lead right from the start. The singles matches followed, and the drubbing continued. No. 1 Barrie Bernstein finished out her collegiate career by winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. No. 2 Preety Sorathia also won easily, 6-4, 6-0. The outcome of the match was already clear when the rest of the Quakers hit the courts. No. 3 Lara Afanassiev and No. 4 Kathy Charneco each won handily. This match was also the last for Penn senior Cori Sibley, who went out in stellar fashion with a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 5. The perfect match score was sealed as No. 6 Andrea Grossman won 6-1, 6-1. With the victory, the Quakers finished one of their best spring seasons in years. The win pulled Penn's season record to 13-3, 5-2 in the Ivy League. "This was a very good match, especially for the seniors," Penn coach Cissie Leary said. Bernstein and Sibley played critical roles in the Quakers' success all year. This year, only the No. 1 team in the East region qualifies for the postseason. In next season's system, in which eight teams qualify, the Quakers would be moving on. Next year could be the first time the Quakers get to challenge the nation.