The Penn volleyball team proved that it has the talent to repeat as Ivy League champions with a strong non-conference start.
But on Friday night, the Quakers cleared the toughest hurdle of all, emerging victorious in the highly emotional home-opener versus Princeton.
Backed by the support of 223 enthusiastic fans, the Quakers (9-3) stormed back from a game-one defeat. The Red and Blue won the last three games of the match in dominant fashion: 30-24, 30-18, and 30-22.
"It was a good test for the rest of the Ivy League season," Penn coach Kerry Carr said. "We came out really strong."
The victory increased Penn's win streak to eight, and put a halt to Princeton's six-game win streak.
Although the Tigers inched by in game one, 30-26, the Quakers held the tempo for most of the game.
"Every point was either our mistake or our killing," Carr said. "We were in control the whole time."
Penn entered the match having won the Wagner Invitational and cruising by Villanova in the past week.
Their strong play continued this weekend, showing early indications of their championship-caliber talent and potential.
"Princeton is always tough," Carr said. "But the entire team put forth an amazing effort. Everyone played well."
Penn went into the match without a solidified starting lineup, but the Quakers were still able to patch together a victory.
Senior co-captain Stacey Carter recorded 15 kills and 15 digs, while freshman standout Michelle Kauffman scored 14 kills and five aces.
"A key to our victory was the kills from the middle," Carr said. "We practiced a lot in the past week on our middle, and it came through in our match."
The most impressive performance -- and the key to Penn's crushing middle force -- was Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan's 18 kills and only one error. Kwak-Hefferan leads the team with 3.7 kills per game.
The victory marked Penn's first home-victory against Princeton during Carr's four-year tenure at the helm of the Quakers. Last year, the Quakers split with the Tigers, each winning on the road.
"It was a huge first for my team and for the legacy of new Penn volleyball," Carr said. "It is a sign of how we should fare in the Ivy League this year."
The Quakers continue their Ivy League title defense this weekend with matches against Columbia and Cornell.
This could prove to be the perfect opportunity for Penn to establish its control of the Ancient Eight.
"Cornell has tough blocking and offense, while Columbia has two very good middles," Carr said. "It's going to be a tough weekend with no easy matches, but it should be exciting."
The talented, energetic bunch are determined to repeat as champions of the Ivy League.
And right now, there appears to be no obstacle that they cannot surmount.
"If we continue to play this well and work hard in practice to improve," Carr said. "We will be fine [in our title defense]."
