W. Tennis enters Ivy season with a bang

The Red and Blue did not lose a set in any of the six singles matches and won the three doubles contests handily, 8-1, 8-0 and 8-2. "I was pretty pleased not to even lose a set," Dowd said. "I think the team is peaking and ready -- all the pieces are in place." Dowd was also pleased with tri-captain Brooke Herman's strong play, both in the No. 3 singles position and at No. 2 doubles along with teammate Anastasia Pozdniakova. In only her second match since returning from a recurring wrist injury, Herman downed the Georgetown player 6-2, 6-4, and blanked her doubles opponent 8-0. "I feel like Brooke is very ready. She's hitting the ball harder than I have ever seen her," Dowd said. "I'm just glad I'm not playing her." This match was the Quakers' final non-conference match before the start of the Ivy season. Currently ranked 51st in the nation, the Red and Blue bring an unblemished 11-0 record into conference play. The team is now looking forward to playing the matches it has prepared for all season -- the meetings with its Ivy foes. "All that's left is to play the Ivies," Dowd said. "It's as simple as that." --Alex Moskowitz