Volleyball's season ends at Ivy tourney

The Quakers are seeded sixth for the double-elimination tournament. When a team's season comes down to one weekend, that team is usually resting near the top of the standings. The Penn volleyball team is definitely not at the top of the Ivy League, but that is the situation it faces. Penn has been preparing for this weekend's Ivy League championship tournament the whole season. In Ivy volleyball, the regular season determines the seedings for the tournament, but it has no direct effect on the outcome of the season. As the sixth seed in the eight-team field, the Quakers (10-12, 2-5 Ivy League) will face third-seeded Dartmouth this afternoon in New Haven, Conn. The Quakers were in a similar position as the sixth seed in last year's tournament. After a loss to eventual champion Brown in the first round, the Red and Blue defeated Columbia before being eliminated by Princeton. On October 17, the Big Green (20-7, 5-2) dominated the Red and Blue, winning 3-0 in a match at the Palestra. This match included a 15-2 thrashing in the second game. Penn coach Margaret Feeney is not allowing this previous match to affect her outlook on the tournament, which carries an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament for the winner. "We have changed our lineup since last time, and we're optimistic about the match," Feeney said. It has been a difficult season for Penn, but a fine showing in last weekend's Army Classic has boosted the team's confidence. Penn was 2-1 at this tournament, defeating Marist and Army. Its only loss was to Central Florida, which has a record of 24-1. "We've gained a lot of confidence over the last few weekends," Feeney said. "That confidence helps a lot going into a conference tournament." Throughout the season, Penn has relied on great play from its top players, including middle blockers Sue Sabatino and Karen Lewis, outside hitter Jessica Luftmann and setter Heather Tillett. Despite this, Feeney acknowledged that all eight of her regular players must be in top form if the Quakers are to play well this weekend. "We'll look to all eight people to play some of the best volleyball they've played this year," Feeney said. "We won't rely on one or two people. The whole team must come together as a cohesive unit." Penn has also had difficulty eliminating errors this season. The Quakers have spent much time working on their hitting, setting and defense. Penn's performance in last weekend's Army Classic has Feeney believing that her team will play well in the Ivy League tournament. The Quakers played well both offensively and defensively in all three matches, including the loss to Central Florida, which boasts the second-longest winning streak in the nation. If the Quakers defeat Dartmouth, they will face the winner of the Princeton-Cornell match tonight at 7 p.m. If they lose, however, the season is not over., since the event is in a double-elimination format. A loss to the Big Green will force Penn to play its next match tomorrow afternoon. As the season winds to a close, everything Penn has worked on this year comes down to one weekend. Eight teams enter the tournament, and one champion will be determined by Sunday. For Penn, this tournament represents a chance to prove that it is one of the Ivy League's top teams. "It is the culmination of our season, and it will determine the champion," Feeney said. "We are looking forward to going up there and having a good weekend."