Fresh off a three-match California road trip in which the Quakers won two of three, the No. 39 Penn women's tennis team returned home to take on local rival Temple in what was expected to be a relatively even matchup.
Fortunate for the Quakers, Temple was riddled by a series of injuries, leaving the Owls without their No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 singles players.
As a result, what looked to be a challenge turned into more of a tune-up for Penn, as the Quakers coasted past the Owls, 6-1, in what was their final match heading into the Ivy League schedule.
Penn was sparked once again by junior Alice Pirsu, who coupled with senior Raluca Ciulei, to win at No. 1 doubles, 8-1. Ciulei also stepped up for the Quakers, winning her matchup at No. 2 singles by defeating Temple's Lauren Verrall in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3.
Overall, the Quakers were dominant. In their six victories, Penn did not drop a set, with strong efforts by Raluca Ciochina at No. 3 singles and Michelle Yeh at No. 4. The Quakers' one loss -- a straight-set defeat of Nicole Ptak -- was no setback for the Quakers. Ptak, normally the Quakers' No. 2 singles player moved up a spot to play in the No. 1 singles position to allow Pirsu to concentrate on doubles.
Yeh, a straight-set winner, was happy with Friday's results.
"We played pretty well. Temple is a pretty good team who unfortunately was without some of their better players," Yeh said. "Everyone looked pretty good out there, but because of their injuries, we all saw this as more of a tune-up for next weekend."
Friday's victory for the Quakers, while relatively unchallenged, was an important one.
The victory provided needed momentum for the Quakers as they end their non-conference schedule and prepare to take on the Ivy League.
The Quakers open up their Ivy schedule this weekend when they travel first to Ithaca, N.Y., on Saturday to take on Cornell, followed by a trip to the Big Apple to take on Columbia.
The Quakers appear ready for the Ivy League challenge and their first road trip to New York.
"We feel pretty good heading into this weekend. Cornell and Columbia are two of the weaker teams in the league," Yeh said.
"So this weekend will be a good way to get us started with the Ivy season."
