M. Squash posts early victories

A 9-0 whitewashing of CornellA 9-0 whitewashing of Cornellwas expected, but the QuakersA 9-0 whitewashing of Cornellwas expected, but the Quakerswere pleased with their firstA 9-0 whitewashing of Cornellwas expected, but the Quakerswere pleased with their firstwin over Western Ontario inA 9-0 whitewashing of Cornellwas expected, but the Quakerswere pleased with their firstwin over Western Ontario in15 years.A 9-0 whitewashing of Cornellwas expected, but the Quakerswere pleased with their firstwin over Western Ontario in15 years.________________________________ The men's squash team opened its season on a high note by winning two contests against Cornell and Western Ontario. The Quakers' 6-3 win over Canada's Western Ontario was especially gratifying because Penn has been unable to defeat the team in the last 15 years. The Quakers finished two places behind Western Ontario, at fifth, at last year's season-ending North American championships. Both coach Ned Edwards and senior co-captain Andrew Braff expected tougher competition. "We played really well," Braff said. "They weren't as strong as last year, but it was a good, nice win?It was a great victory but the significance of it didn't really sink in until that night." In the past, players who had to win did not always come through. But Saturday, everyone who had to win did, including senior co-captain Craig Rappaport. The player who had the stand-out match of the day was Carl Sibben, who played fourth and won a crucial match that tied the Quakers at two games apiece and helped propel them to victory. "I'm really pleased with these guys, who played extremely well with clearness and clarity that they lacked at times last year," Edwards said. Cornell, as expected, did not pose a problem for the Quakers, who handily won 9-0 in the first match of the day. "These wins," Edwards said, "give us confidence that if we continue along this path then we will have a great season." Penn has an extremely talented team this year with four seniors returning. Senior co-captains Braff and Rappaport were all-Americans last year, and the Quakers have added a new number one player, freshman Shams Mistry from Pakistan. "He is an extremely strong player and he gives the people playing behind him more incentive," Edwards said. The Quakers hope to continue to play on the high level they exhibited Saturday. They will now turn their attention to upcoming matches against Trinity, Franklin & Marshall, Williams and Amherst, who are all extremely competitive teams, with Amherst likely to provide the toughest competition. The Quakers believe that if they can keep their intensity up and win these upcoming matches, they have a strong shot at finishing in the top three nationally this season.