M. Tennis heads to Princeton for second time in fall

The Penn men's tennis team may be only one month into its season but the Quakers are already heading to Princeton for the second time. Due to Princeton's pride in its tennis facility, the Lenz Courts, the Tigers often host tournaments, including last month's Princeton Invitational and this weekend's ECAC Invitational, featuring the eight Ivy League schools along with several other Eastern teams. Traveling to Princeton so often does have its benefits. The Princeton facility has become "almost like our second home," sophomore Brian Barki said. "We definitely feel comfortable there." But, making repeated trips to the Lenz Courts also has its downsides. "I'm just sick of going there. Part of traveling and playing is seeing new places," Penn co-captain Brett Meringoff said. "Not only do I have to see Princeton over and over again but we have to deal with the prissy, preppy and snotty people there." While the Quakers may have to travel to the home of the Tigers, the two teams will not meet unless both advance beyond the second round. Instead, the Red and Blue's first opponent will be Army, a team the Quakers have already seen at the Penn State Invitational. However, Joey Zupan, the lone Quaker to face a Cadet at that tournament, will not compete this weekend due to injury. Penn did play Army last spring in a dual match, though. And if last season -- when Penn came away with a lopsided 7-0 victory -- is any indication, the Quakers will have an easy time disposing of the Cadets. Unfortunately for Penn, this may not be the case. "Last year when we beat them, that was just all of the planets lined up," Quakers coach Gordie Ernst said. "That was probably our best outing of the year and they're going to want revenge. "This year every set is going to be a battle, every match a war. They're going to come at us with a lot of weapons, guns a-blazing. They're going to be out for revenge." Vengeance is one motive with which the Quakers can identify. Last year at the ECACs the Red and Blue were soundly defeated by Princeton in the first round -- an early exit they hope to avoid this year. "Last year we got humiliated and I think there is a very strong drive to not let that happen again," Penn men's tennis player and Daily Pennsylvanian photographer Rob Pringle said. "When you give such a poor showing in the fall, you plant a seed in other team's minds that you can't compete. "We can't have that. We're after respect." Not only are the Quakers after respect, but they are also after the chance to represent the Eastern Region as one of the 16 teams appearing at National Indoors. "This tournament almost doesn't mean anything in terms of the Ivy Champion or national finish," Ernst said. "But a win here and going to National Indoors would propel us to a spot as a nationally recognized team." That national recognition -- and the respect that comes along with it -- is something for which the Penn tennis program has been working hard. This weekend may prove to be a major step in the right direction as it is a chance for the Red and Blue to see where they are and gauge where they are headed. "Everything we've done up until now has been to gear up for this," Barki said. "We're very ready."