Last Sunday, it did not matter whether you were a Penn supporter, a tennis enthusiast or simply someone who happened to be atthe Levy Tennis Pavilion. Excitement was in the air.
The Penn women's tennis team's undefeated season was at stake, as it was tied, 3-3, against Virginia, with sophomore Sara Schiffman playing on the last court at No. 6 singles.
With Schiffman trailing in the third set, her teammates crowded one side of the court, while Virginia's players were on the other.
It was a showdown of cheers. People playing on other courts came out to see what all the noise was about. A united chant broke out, "You can do it Sara! Come on PENN!"
Sure enough, Schiffman pulled off the nail-biter, 6-0 , 3-6, 6-4, moving from last season's backdrop to the spotlight.
"When the whole team came back and started pumping me up, I just started grinding it out," Schiffman said. "I just decided that I had to find a way to win, how to get the ball back."
Penn coach Mike Dowd was very impressed with Schiffman and his team's overall clutch performance.
"Sara did not have much experience playing matches from last year," Dowd said. "For her to step up and get the victory was very big."
Senior Nikki Ptak and junior Shelah Chao also came up huge for the Quakers (4-0).
Both came back from one set down to win two straight sets in their respective matches.
"I'm very excited," Ptak said. "Virginia is a top team, a very difficult team to beat."
The Cavaliers (6-2) were Penn's highest-ranked opponent this season, ranked 33rd in the nation. The Quakers are currently ranked 45th.
The team had a great sense of pride after dominating Richmond (3-2), 7-0, the day before. The great play could very well have been a product of the large amount of off-season training by many of the Quakers' women.
For Penn senior Rachel Shweky, these last few home games have been especially important. She won both her singles and doubles games Saturday.
"It's my last few home games as a senior," Shweky said. "I've got nothing to lose. I play every match like it's my last.
"We're all determined. No matter who we play I think we can come out victorious," she continued.
The Quakers will travel to Old Dominion and 17th-ranked William and Mary next weekend to try to extend their undefeated run.
@DPOSTM Agate Header:PENN 4, Virginia 3
@DPOSTM Agate Text:Singles
1. Ptak (PENN) def. Fitz-Krochow, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
2. James def. Stanislawski (PENN), 6-2, 6-4
3. Chao (PENN) def. Bruch, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0
4. M. Bechliwanis def. Shweky (PENN), 7-5, 6-4
5. D. Bechliwanis def. Ciochina (PENN), 6-2, 7-5
6. Schiffman (PENN) def. Stough, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
Doubles
1. Fitz-Krochow def. Chao/Shweky, 8-3
2. Stanislawski/Ptak def.
Stough/James, 8-6
3. Kunovac/Williams def. Hammond/Montgomery, 8-3
