After securing its first Ivy League win of the season last weekend over Yale after an 0-4 start, the Penn men's tennis team remains optimistic about its final two matches against Dartmouth on Friday and Harvard on Saturday.
"It's a good opportunity to end the season to be the Ivy League spoilers," assistant coach Joel Berman said. "So we get the opportunity to play two teams that we were defeated by last year and get revenge on them."
Hopes of ending the season on a good note are tainted, as the remaining two games will mark the final collegiate matches for senior captains Ryan Harwood and Andy Kolker.
The Quakers' only seniors came up with gutsy performances in the 4-3 victory over Yale. Harwood topped Yale's No. 1, while Kolker sealed the team victory in the final match.
"I think the seniors deserve everything they get," sophomore Todd Lecher said. "And we're definitely going to be playing hard for them just like we always do. We're going to try and win these two matches."
"You know it's always tough to see seniors go, and I was happy about the performance of the seniors against Yale," head coach Mark Riley said. "And hopefully, they'll carry that over to Dartmouth and Harvard. It would be nice to send these guys out with some wins on the way out."
The Quakers look to parlay their momentum from the Yale victory starting with their match against the Big Green (10-11, 0-4).
"We have to concentrate. Even though their record isn't one of the best in the league, they're dangerous as much as everyone else is," Harwood said. "They've been winning a lot of doubles points versus better teams, which is surprising. But they're doing it, so we're going to have to go out there and try to get the doubles point and then play solid singles."
Saturday's opponent, Harvard, appears to be the more formidable match-up for the Quakers this weekend.
The Crimson (13-8, 3-0) are ranked 41st in the country. Harvard also features sophomore Jonathan Chu, who is ranked 82nd in the nation in singles play, as its No. 1.
"I think they're the only team in my career here that I haven't beaten in the Ivy League," Harwood said.
"It would be great to get a win over them, so I can hopefully end my career with a couple of solid wins and walk away with a successful season."
The Red and Blue are anxiously looking forward to playing their first complete home match outdoors. The Quakers' match with Navy actually began outside on the Lott Tennis Courts before being relocated indoors because of inclement weather.
The Quakers hope that playing outdoors will be an advantage in their two upcoming matches this weekend.
"I think outdoors is the best place to be because it's hard to see every match indoors, and people are separated," sophomore Anthony Pu said. "Outdoors, everyone can watch together, and usually a lot of people come because it's nice out We get a lot of support."
