Monica Seles is model of perfection for W. Tennis

The Quakers take on a Tigers squad that is not quite as good as its padded 6-0 record. During the past week of practice, the Penn women's tennis players have been doing their best Monica Seles impressions. Every day, as coaches hit shot after shot to them, the players returned them with savage force and uncanny precision. After about 50 such returns, the exhausted players began to grunt audibly with every painstaking shot. "It's a drill that improves our cardiovascular shape," junior Brooke Herman said. "We have to get used to hitting a lot of shots in the three-hour matches we play." Specifically, Penn (9-5) is preparing so relentlessly in the hopes of handing undefeated Ivy League rival Princeton its first heartbreak of the young season. The two teams collide today at 2 in Princeton, N.J. But Princeton (6-0), a squad that relies on the strength of its second through fourth singles players, as well as on its superior doubles teams, may not be as invincible as its record would indicate. "Princeton is a very confident team right now," Penn coach Michael Dowd said. "They have a very strong middle part of their singles lineup, but if we can win two or three of those matches, we'll be very successful." Aside from being confident in their own abilities, Quaker coaches and players believe that the Tigers' record is misleading. The level of competition that Princeton plays may be inferior to that of Penn. "We've played tougher teams than Princeton has," senior co-captain Lara Afanassiev said. "But it's going to be a tough match. We have a great rivalry going with them." The competition that the Quakers have faced may give them an advantage in their approach. "We're exposed to a consistently higher level of play than Princeton is," Dowd said. "All the girls have been hitting the ball great this week. We're ready." After a week of such intense practice, the Red and Blue players are fully aware of their own keys to success. "The girl I'll be playing against is a consistent base-liner who hits good ground strokes," Herman said. "Against her I'll have to be aggressive, by hitting my first serves in and then attacking the net." Freshman Rina Borromeo agreed with fellow Quaker Herman in how important strategy will be against Princeton. "We have to play smart and wait for our opponents to make mistakes," Borromeo said. "Princeton is a very athletic team. We have to run every ball down, because we know that they will do the same. Basically, whatever Princeton does, we have to do it better." The player who must stand out most in order for the Quakers to prevail is Afanassiev, Penn's second singles player who has been battling illness all season. Dowd described her as having had a great week of practice, and as having been "very mentally tough" throughout the year. Is Princeton worthy of an undefeated record? Will Penn's very optimistic attitude heading into this Ivy League showdown lead to victory for the Quakers? Hopefully, the drills Penn has been slaving through during this week's practices will not only help them to grunt like Monica Seles, but also to play like her.