M. Tennis trying to halt Eastern slide

Coming off two losses on the road, Penn hosts Yale and Brown. Penn comes home to the Lott Courts this weekend, after a grueling road trip through New England brought them two tough losses. The Quakers suffered the first to Harvard on Friday, in a 5-2 showdown. Leaving Cambridge, Mass., Penn took the road north, hoping to change its luck against Dartmouth. Lady Luck didn't show, though, as a second loss in two days made the trip back to Philly a little longer, after what many players deemed a "must-win match." "Against Harvard, it looked like two equal teams were competing out there," sixth-year Penn coach Gene Miller said. "It was the first time they have really gone out and played like that against a Harvard team." This weekend brings a chance for renewed opportunity. Brown marches into University City to get the tennis team's version of "Fling" started at 2 p.m. on tomorrow. The Elis of Yale will pick up the Saturday slot in a noon contest, which should prove to be the tougher of the two. Brown has posted a 6-7 record overall, 0-4 in the EITA. Brown coach Bob Woods puts a young team on the court. With only one senior on the team, the Bears sport one of the few lineups in the Ivy League considerably younger than Penn. "I think this year there is going to prove to be much more depth in the league than in past years," Miller said. Brown suffered its tough EITA losses to opponents quite familiar to the Quakers. Princeton drubbed the Bears in a 6-1 decision, while the other three losses were all 4-3 outcomes. The service academies both had their way with Brown, as did the Big Red of Cornell. "I just want to duplicate last weekend," said Miller. "They played some of the best tennis that they have played all year." The Elis' talented lineup could give the Quakers some problems. "They are a pretty talented team, pretty good, but they are inconsistent," Quakers junior Marc Fisicaro said. The No. 2 singles player, Fisicaro will have to face one of those talented, but inconsistent, Elis for his singles match. Also a junior, Andrew Tang has taken on most of the responsibilities at No. 2, posting a 5-7 mark. Troubles have not been completely absent, however, as fellow junior Mark Warken has been asked to step up in two matches at the slot. The Quakers will look to capitalize on the doubles play that has been a consistent weapon for them. Yale is a combined two games under .500 at all three doubles spots. "We were doing all the right things (last weekend), and I think that will make its way into this weekend," Miller said. Penn's tennis team won't be relaxing this weekend. After two difficult losses last weekend, the Quakers need a victory. "Every match is a must win for the team at this point," Fisicaro said. The Quakers want to be the opening act on tomorrow and be the "Toasters" for a couple hours against Brown. "The last two years we have been away for [Spring Fling]," Fisicaro said. "It should be a little more fun to play at home." The Quakers will look to get back on track and improve on their 4-2 EITA record -- and stay in the hunt for a regional playoff position.

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