W. Tennis aces Cadets

Last Friday afternoon at Lott Courts, an experienced Army women's tennis team gave 100 percent, only to fall short -- as expected -- to a young Penn team, 9-0. With more than half the fall season now completed, the Quakers (4-0) have lost only one team point to opposing squads. In other words, they have completely dominated every match. Against Army, things were no different. "The scores were lopsided, but we still had to play well," Penn coach Cissie Leary said. "I wanted them to set the tone and dominate the match and they did just that." No. 6 Yukie Tokuda continued to play strong tennis in her first year of collegiate play. She rolled through Army's Kris Catron 6-1, 6-2. Despite being undefeated thus far this season, Tokuda still is looking to improve her game. "I need to approach balls at the net better," Tokuda said. "But I have done well in catching lob shots early, which is definitely helping out my game." Karen Ridley made her second start at No. 4 in the singles lineup because captain Beth Brady had shin splints and was confined to doubles play only. However, this will surely not be the last time Ridley competes in singles -- she defeated Army's No. 4 player, Khanh Diep, 6-1, 6-1. Co-captain Preety Sorathia returned to the lineup at No. 1 after missing the team's last match because of the ITA National Clay Court Championships in Baltimore. Sorathia welcomed the feel of the hard courts once again, making quick work of Amanda Sentell 6-0, 6-2. "We have not yet played great teams so that we could all build up our confidence," Tokuda said. "But we will be prepared to play the tougher teams." The Quakers will have their first real test when they take on West Virginia this Friday at Lott Courts. West Virginia is a team composed of many veterans with skills comparable to those of the Penn players. Like Tokuda, Leary knows the schedule will be getting harder. But she feels that Penn's success has only begun. "It was one more match to build our confidence," Leary said. "Now things will get tough but we will be ready."