SPORTS BRIEFS: Tuesday, February 17, 1998

The Bantams, who are ranked No.1 in the nation, lived up to their billing by drubbing the Quakers(4-8, 2-4 Ivy League) in the final matches for both teams before the ISA National Team Championships this weekend at Princeton. The Red and Blue were once again made black and blue by a Trinity team that took eight of nine games in straight sets. Quakers freshman Peter Withstanley, playing in the No.5 spot, showed why he has been one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise dismal season for Penn. Withstanley displayed his quickness and athleticism in losing in five sets (9-14, 15-14, 17-15, 11-15, 9-15). The latest defeat for the Quakers completed a stretch which saw them lose four in a row and six of seven overall. Penn's freefall has included losses to Ivy combatants Harvard, Dartmouth and Princeton. During the losing streak, Penn was trounced by a combined score of 36-1, with the only point coming at Dartmouth courtesy of senior co-captain Juan Dominguez. All that is left in the season for the Penn is the nationals, which begin Friday afternoon. The Quakers will play in the eight-team second tier, which competes for the Hoehn Trophy, while the top eight school will chase the national championship. Penn won the Hoehn Trophy to end its season last year. -- Antwan Allen