Undefeated thus far in Ivy League play, the Penn women's basketball team knows that a successful weekend at Harvard and Dartmouth could mean an Ivy League Championship.
Coach Kelly Greenberg also believes that winning on the road against these two traditional powerhouses is a psychological barrier that the Quakers (9-6, 3-0 Ivy) need to get past if they are to claim Penn's second trip to the NCAA Tournament.
"Every year since I've been at Penn, traditionally this is the hardest weekend," Greenberg said. "They have all the history, they share all the Ivy banners, these two programs. So mentally more than anything we have to be tough in these two games, more than any weekend, because it's at their gyms."
Indeed, the Quakers will be going up against the only other undefeated team in the Ivy League in Dartmouth, as well as the two-time defending league champion in Harvard.
And despite the Crimson's disappointing 1-2 start in league play, Greenberg and the Penn team are focusing on tonight's game in Boston and will not turn their attention to the Big Green until the following day.
"Right now we're really just thinking about Friday night, because [Harvard] is too good to think about the second game," Greenberg said.
During both games, the Quakers will have to think about the strong frontcourts that they will be facing.
Harvard (8-8, 1-2 Ivy) features the imposing tandem of 6-foot-3 center Reka Cserny and 6-2 forward Hana Peljto, who is second in the nation in scoring with 24 points per game.
The Red and Blue must then adjust to Dartmouth (10-6, 3-0). Unlike the Crimson, who shoot a lot from the perimeter, the Big Green will try to pound the ball inside.
The secret is out about Dartmouth's freshman center Elise Morrison. The 6-3 Morrison has dominated the Ancient Eight so far this year.
One player who is certain to play a pivotal role in defending Harvard and Dartmouth's size is sophomore center Jen Fleischer, Penn's most imposing inside player.
"Jen has to do what she did last weekend for us," Greenberg said. "We're not looking for points from her, she needs to rebound. We rebound, we win this Ivy League championship. We know that was the difference last year; we gave up too many rebounds.
"One person that's really stepped up to that challenge the last few games is Jen Fleischer. She's just gotta keep continuing that rebounding presence and she'll be fine."
For her part, Fleischer believes that she needs to play within herself and come in the same way she approaches every game.
"The best I can do is what I've been doing," Fleischer said. "And that's rebounding and playing my hardest. I think that if we win it's gonna be all of us playing great defense and playing our 'A' game."
Two 'A' games would put the Quakers in the fast lane to getting back to the NCAA Tournament.
Notes: Penn coach Kelly Greenberg was honored with the Donna de Varona Spirit of Sports Award at the 11th annual Women's Sports Foundation Philadelphia Awards Program at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse on Saint Joseph's campus Wednesday. The award is presented to a person in the Philadelphia community who best demonstrates the ideals of the "true spirit of sport," either as a participant or as a supporter or a promoter of girls' and women's sports and fitness.
