V-Ball set for war on the floor

The mere mention of Princeton versus Penn brings to mind the great rivalries between these two Ivy foes. The competition is even more heated this year in volleyball, as the Quakers and Tigers battle each other tonight at 7:30 in a match that could decide the top seed for the season-ending Ivy League tournament. Through four Ivy League matches against common opponents, Princeton is undefeated while Penn has one defeat at the hands of Yale. Both teams came into the season believing they could win the Ivy title -- possibly in a rematch of last year's finals, in which Princeton topped Penn in four games. "There is definitely a revenge factor after losing to them in the finals last year," Penn coach Margaret Feeney said. Princeton did not lose any of its key performers from last year, and has rolled to a 12-1 record so far this season. Penn has had an inconsistent year, compiling an 8-6 mark as Feeney tries to fit eight freshmen into the Quakers rotation. The freshmen, who will be experiencing their first match against the Tigers, could be the key, especially since two of them will fill in for junior middle blocker Jen Law. Law is out for two weeks after injuring her ankle over the weekend. "We have to teach [the freshmen] the importance of playing Princeton," Feeney said. "We have to let them know what it means in terms of pride when Princeton comes in to the Palestra." Other than experience, the teams are remarkably similar in most aspects. Both teams spread their offensive firepower around to at least six players, with last year's Ivy League Rookie of the Year, Ayesha Attoh, leading the Tigers. Both teams also rely on an experienced setter to run their 5-1 attack. Unlike the Quakers, Princeton has been very consistent this year, able to run its offense off of any defense opposing teams have thrown at it. Penn's margin for error will have to be small if the Red and Blue are to stay in the match. "We need to concentrate on unforced errors," Feeney said. "We also have to shut the door on them once we take a lead." The match gains importance because of its role in determining the seeds for the Ivy league tournament. Because of Penn's loss to Yale, the Quakers have to win tonight if they are to have any hope of gaining the first or second seed. "There is a lot of parity this year in the league," Feeney said. "The teams in the middle will have a lot of four- and five-game matches in the beginning of the tournament, so we want to be seeded either first or second." Penn is also counting on its home-court advantage, hoping a large crowd will turn out to rattle the Tigers' nerves. The Quakers will enjoy a similar advantage when the tournament comes to town Nov. 10-12. If Penn wins, tonight's match could easily be a preview of the tournament finale.