Volleyball hands game, Quaker Classic title to UNH

Playing for second place is not always easy, nor is it usually very exciting; however, the intensity of the final volleyball match of the Quaker Classic was something that could easily rival that of any championship game. The heartbreak of being a defending champion, and knowing there is no chance of retaining that title, can often lead to the emotional breakdown of any weak-hearted team. But Saturday night, going into their final match against nearby rival Drexel, the Quakers volleyball team demonstrated the determination and will power of Rocky Balboa. The Quakers (3-3), who had lost their first match on Friday night to this year's winners, New Hampshire (3-0 in the tournament), came into Saturday's games like a team possessed. After the first loss, Penn coach Margaret Feeney was distressed to see the team lose a match they could have won. In the afternoon game, the Quakers won a grueling match against Navy, 15-17, 15-11, 11-15, 15-3, 15-6. With the tournament winner already decided by the time of Penn's night game, any fan would suspect emotional trauma in the Red and Blue. But this was not the case. The Quakers played a tough match against the Dragons. Neither team wanted to go down without a hard-fought battle. Lasting nearly three hours, the match came to a fifth game that would determine second place. The Quakers quickly got out to a 7-1 lead. This immense lead never changed, as the team would eventually win the game, 15-8. Although the Quakers seemed satisfied with their second-day comeback, the coaches and players still felt there were things they needed to start doing to win more games. "We had a couple of good wins, but we need to keep up the intensity the whole time," Penn co-captain Heather Tillett said. "We were just playing volleyball. We need to come out and play to win. All the ability is here, but we need to put it together and work as a team." Feeney felt a similar uncomfortable satisfaction. She was pleased her team won such a difficult match, but still wanted to see more from them. "We won today's matches, but the girls are still inconsistent and not playing hard every point," Feeney said. One significant note about the tournament is that Quakers freshman Diana Meek played opposite her sister, Nicole, Drexel's middle blocker. There was an obvious desire of each sister to be victorious over the other, and the Quakers were victorious in the case of "sibling rivalry." In the Drexel match, Diana outplayed her sister in assisting the Quakers to a 3-2 victory. At the end of the tournament, two Quakers were selected to the All-Tournament team. Tillet and Angie Whittenberg were selected for their excellent play throughout the tournament. Tillet finished with 130 assists and 32 digs, while Whittenberg rang up 34 digs and a .382 attack percentage.