W. Tennis puts Ivy win streak on the line this weekend

Penn women's tennis coach Michael Dowd has a hard time downplaying this weekend's matchup with Harvard.

"This is as big as it gets," he said. "Think Ali-Frazier or Cowboys-Redskins. That's what Penn-Harvard is like for women's tennis."

Although the Quakers (3-0) will face both Harvard (2-0) and Dartmouth (2-0) at Lott Courts this weekend, everyone's attention is firmly fixed on the Penn-Harvard contest.

"This will be the most important match I've played so far," Penn sophomore captain Sanela Kunovac said.

Important, of course, because Harvard is a juggernaut. Out of the five ranked players in the entire Ivy League, three of them belong to the Crimson.

In comparison, the Quakers only have one ranked player, sophomore Alice Pirsu, at No. 17. Harvard's most potent weapon is Courtney Bergman, No. 23, who has won two straight matches against Penn's No.1, Pirsu.

"On paper, Harvard has more talent than us," Dowd said. "They are the Ivy League favorite."

A mysteriously unranked favorite, that is.

By virtue of the toughest schedule in the Ivies, the Crimson hold a subpar 6-7 record.

Harvard's notable opponents have included No. 4 Stanford and No. 5 Duke, which barely won a 4-3 decision.

But Penn is well-aware of the Crimson's potential having been mercilessly swept 7-0 in the fall ECACs.

As such, the Quakers enter Friday's match in the unfamiliar underdog role.

Penn is the defending conference champions and is armed with a four-match win streak and an undefeated home record. The Quakers are also standing to receive an emotional lift from throngs of Spring Fling revelers. According to both Dowd and Kunovac, over 100 rowdy Quaker loyalists are expected to be in attendance at the match.

And yet they still find themselves with an uphill battle to fight.

The Red and Blue views Harvard as an opponent that deserves an equal if not higher ranking than themselves.

"Harvard should be a top 30 team," Dowd said.

Despite Quakers' kind words, they are preparing for a vicious struggle.

"We are not fooling ourselves," Kunovac said. "We know it will be a battle."

"We are two Ivy titans going at it," Dowd said. "I will guarantee a competitive match."

On the other hand, Saturday's match against Dartmouth should not be too challenging.

Though the Big Green have a perfect Ivy record, they have not beaten a ranked opponent this season.

In addition, the Quakers' assistant coach, Courtney Smalley, is well acquainted with Dartmouth and their strategy. Smalley was the Big Green captain last year.

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