M. Tennis heads into bulk of its schedule

After running up a 4-3 record before spring break and splitting its four matches during its spring break trip to Puerto Rico, the Penn men's tennis team looks to add two more victories this afternoon against St. Joseph's and Washington College. Both matches will be played outdoors at the Lott Courts beginning at 3 p.m. As the Quakers get ready for the bulk of their schedule, Penn coach Gene Miller reflected on the team's journey to Puerto Rico. Miller noted that freshman David Schwartzman played exceptionally well in some of his first matches of the season. And Quakers sophomore Marc Fisicaro scored Penn's biggest individual victory, knocking off the No. 2 singles player from national-powerhouse Notre Dame, Jakub Pietrowski. Teamed with junior Brad Goldberg, Fisicaro also scored an impressive win over the Fighting Irish's tandem of Michael Sprouse and Jason Pun. Now fully battle-tested, having already taken on talented squads from Notre Dame and San Diego, Penn looks to St. Joe's and Washington. The Hawks are looking to rebound from a disappointing 1995 season. Entering the match with only an 0-1 record, St. Joe's had little competitive action thus far. In Penn's second match, the Quakers will take on Washington, which won the NCAA Division III national championship just two years ago. "We can't afford to take them lightly," Miller said. Loaded with talent at the top of their lineup, the Sho'men will need strong performances from their lower-seeded players if they are to knock off the Division I Quakers. With a 6-5 record thus far, Penn hopes early successes bode well for the busy month of April ahead.