Ivy League pair on tap at Palestra for Volleyball

The Penn volleyball team has a golden opportunity tonight to knock Harvard off its pedestal atop the Ivy League in its bid for its second straight conference title.

In its first home Ivy League weekend of the season, the Quakers host Dartmouth and first-place Harvard.

Though a victory over Harvard (6-0) may not necessarily place Penn (4-1) atop the Ivy League standings, a win would still put them on course for at least of a share of the conference crown.

"Harvard and [Penn] are the top two teams in the Ivy League," Penn coach Kerry Carr said. "A victory will ensure parity over the conference."

After getting crushed at Cornell on Oct. 12, Penn's hopes for a repeat appeared to be fading.

But, after last weekend's defeats of Ivy League foes Yale and Brown, the Quakers are back on track for another run.

Penn is not the only team which has its sights set squarely on the Ivy title. For as good as Penn has played in the recent going, Harvard has been even better.

The Crimson shutout Cornell last weekend, after having torched Columbia a day earlier.

Led by two-time Ivy League Player of the Week Kaego Ogbechie, Harvard has yet to lose in the Ivy League this season.

So how will Penn put a halt to Harvard's winning streak?

"We will try to wear down Kaego and shut down the outside hitters," Carr said.

Penn will try to take control of the match early by utilizing its strong service game and team- passing.

Junior Meghan Schloat ranks third in the Ivy League with 11.52 assists per game, while freshman Cara Thomason ranks first in service aces with 0.53 per game.

In addition, Stacey Carter, named to the Ivy League Weekly Honor Roll for her 21 kills versus Brown and Yale, will provide a strong right-side attack.

But the key intangible that may swing things in the Quakers favor, is Penn's home-court advantage.

"Harvard has had an easier travel schedule so far, playing mostly at home," Carr said. "This is a huge test for them."

Playing at home is particularly beneficial this weekend as Penn's fan base will be its largest this season.

Over 300 spirited students participating in "The Line" will be cheering for Penn, tonight at 7 p.m.

But while the Quakers need a victory to keep their Ivy title hopes alive, Carr insists that the onus is still on Harvard.

"It is very hard to be undefeated in this league," Carr said. "The pressure is on them."

After facing Harvard, Penn will compete against Dartmouth, a team that defeated Columbia last weekend. This match is one which the Quakers -- who may find themselves in the thick of the Ivy race after tonight's match -- cannot afford to overlook.

"We need to bring our top game this weekend," Carr said. "It is all a numbers game from now until the end of the season."

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