W. Squash to play top lineup vs. Yale, Brown

Penn has substituted its top players in previous matches. That won't be the case this weekend. After destroying its first two opponents of the season, the Penn women's squash team's real season starts against Ivy League foes Yale and Brown. Unlike their previous matches, in which they blew out Cornell by a score of 8-1 and Franklin and Marshall 9-0, the nationally No. 3-ranked Quakers (2-0, 1-0 Ivy League) face true tests in Yale at 2 p.m. tomorrow and a tough Brown squad at noon Sunday, both at the Ringe Courts. For the first time this season, all nine of Penn's regular starters will be competing. Until now, the competition has been weak enough that three of the top players were able to sit out each match to get extra rest and give playing time to the bottom of the lineup. Brown and Yale, both starting their seasons this weekend, are the first true competition at the intercollegiate level for the four freshmen, who are confident they are up to the challenge. "It's really different playing on the college level than the high school level," Quakers freshman Megan Fuller said. "In college, it's much more team-oriented. In high school, you want to win, but it's more for yourself." Fuller and Lauren Patrizio get their first taste of playing before a large crowd. "I don't really know what it's like to play with lots of people cheering," Patrizio said. "I have a lot of friends who have never seen squash who are supposed to come." For No. 3 seed Helen Bamber, a native Zimbabwean, it is the subtleties of playing at home that are important. "We're going to be able to go back to our own rooms and shower," Bamber said. "I am going to get a lot of sleep and do a lot of eating, which is all good. We also don't have to waste a whole day traveling." According to Bamber, a freshman, squash in the United States is completely different from Zimbabwe but,"it's easy to go back and forth." "We don't have to wear eye protectors at home. It's such a different game wearing glasses. It bothers me a lot and I'm always aware that they are on." All of the freshmen are concerned about the added pressure of playing for a team rather than for just themselves. A win or loss in a tight match can effect the team's record and, potentially, the national ranking. "I am very nervous about it," Bamber said. "I always get nervous no matter who I play. I am used to playing in big competitions and having a lot of people watching me so that should help." "I feel a little more comfortable playing with a team because you know that everyone is in the same position. You are not alone. You don't want to let people down but were all good enough to win our matches." Penn coach Demer Holleran thinks the extra pressure will motivate the players, not harm them. "They know this is the real deal," Holleran said. "The better college players raise the level of their game because they are playing for the team. I would hope it would be further incentive to play well and have the determination to win." The Quakers know that they have practiced hard and are prepared for the challenge. The biggest factor will be playing hard against Yale, and then maintaining the focus and intensity for the easier matches -- on paper -- against Brown on Sunday.