W. Squash finally gets shot at No. 1 Harvard

After blowing out lesser opponents, the women's squash team will be the underdog on the road. Every player in every sport looks forward to the big game. Win or lose, it is the defining moment in an athlete's career. For the Penn women's squash team, that day has arrived. This Saturday, the Quakers square off against Ivy League rival Harvard (2-0, 1-0 Ivy League) at noon at the University Club in Boston, Mass. It is what they have been preparing for not only this season, but since they first began playing squash and dreamed of winning it all. None of the current Quakers have beaten Harvard since they have been at Penn. But Penn (4-0, 3-0) is confident in their ability to dethrone the No. 1 ranked, five time defending Ivy League and national champions. "This is the best situation playing on the road we could have since it's a neutral court," Penn coach Demer Holleran said. "Also, there are three courts instead of five so there will be more of us to cheer for each other." The Quakers have been focused so hard on the match with Harvard, they have barely acknowledged the fact that they are playing two matches this weekend, not just one. Penn is also scheduled to play Dartmouth at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in Hanover, N.H. "Right now we know we're playing Dartmouth this weekend, but we're going there to beat Harvard," junior captain Lindsay Moss said. It is the match against Harvard that could be for the title. On the way home the Quakers will stop to destroy Dartmouth. "It's huge for us. The team feels a lot of pressure," Holleran said. "We've really been stressing how prepared we are and have built a crescendo up to this weekend." Some of the Quakers are even taking this rivalry personally. Junior Dana Lipson is anxious for the opportunity to beat her sister's alma mater. "It would be great to go home and say we beat her. I want to take those championship rings right off their fingers. I just want to take them off their pedestal." The Quakers have developed a now or never attitude. This is their chance and their not going to let it slip past. "Harvard's weaker than they've ever been and we're stronger," Moss said. "If we all put it together and concentrate and play as individuals for the team, we can do it." "I would do it for Demer alone," Lipson said. "She can taste it. She's missing the nationals for this. But more than anything, I want this for the team. We've worked so hard." Penn knows that a positive attitude alone is not enough to win a championship. It is hoping that the effort and preparation put in will be. The Quakers came back early from break to hit the courts, and they practiced in double sessions each day. In the past two and a half weeks they have played matches against local clubs and each other to get ready. Holleran hopes all the practice matches the Quakers have played in the past few weeks will make them, "match-tough." "At every position we have a chance to win," Holleran said. "We should really be going in there to win every match, but we'll be happy with five. You have to play your best and can't count on your teammates to win. "You've got to be so tough, tough as nails. Take everything you're entitled to. Run right through them if you have to." "Supposedly they're scared of us," sophomore Eliza Jacobs said, clearly affected by Holleran's confidence. This is the moment of truth and the Red and Blue are ready for the challenge. The players see only one option. "If we win, we're awesome," Moss said. "This is what it's all about."