V-ball to face 'Nova

Sabatino, DanielsSabatino, Danielslook to 'kill' Wildcats Last season, the Penn volleyball team was riding high on an 8-2 streak when it ran into a brick wall at the duPont Pavilion. Villanova disposed of the Quakers in three straight games (15-8, 15-6, 15-4) -- a match that began Penn on a 1-4 tailspin. The Quakers (4-1) will have their chance for redemption against the Wildcats (5-4) at Drexel's Physical Education Athletic Center tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. in what is expected to be the marquis match of the Drexel Invitational. This is not the same Penn team, however, that was thrashed by the Wildcats a year ago. Penn's graduated all-Ivy setter, Heather Glick, who was held to a mere 10 assists by the Wildcats, has been replaced by junior Heather Tillett. And on the front line, sophomores Sue Sabatino and Abby Daniels have emerged into two of the Ivy League's most potent players. Sabatino --the Quaker's 6-foot-1 middle blocker -- has gone from a substitute a year ago to become Penn's leader in kills with 51 through five games. Even more impressive than Sabatino's kills thus far has been her unexpected domination as a server. "Sue has done a wonderful job," Penn coach Margaret Feeney said. "Last year, she played a reserve role. Now, she is fourth in the country in service aces and playing all the way around, offensively and defensively." Not only does Sabatino lead the Quakers in kills, but she is also among the team leaders in blocks. "Personally, I don't expect anything special," Sabatino said. "I just always play on the same level and whatever comes comes." Like Sabatino, Daniels has also made significant progress from last season. Although Daniels led Penn with 693 attacks and 236 kills as a freshman, the 5-foot-11 outside hitter was plagued by inconsistency. This season, Daniels has been an absolute force at the outside hitter spot. Daniels's 46 kills ranks second behind Sabatino and put her on pace to finish the season close to the 250 mark. "[Abby] has done a real nice job," Feeney said. "She works extremely hard in practice and has worked on her communication since last season. We want to see her continue to become more consistent." Last Friday, Sabatino and Daniels combined for 32 kills against a Towson State team that defeated Big East-leading Rutgers. If the Quakers are too avenge last season's loss to 'Nova tomorrow, they will need Sabatino and Daniels to continue killing Tillett's sets at their current pace.