Both the Penn men's and women's tennis teams are looking toward the future.
The men, who finished their 2004 campaign with identical 5-2 losses to Columbia and Cornell, will have every starter from this year's team return.
The women, however, look toward the not-too-distant future date of May 5 to see if they will be extended an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The women finished their season with a 5-2 triumph over Cornell, assuring themselves a third-place finish in the competitive Ivy League.
Sophomore Sara Schiffman led the Red and Blue (15-5, 5-2 Ivy) with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over the Big Red's Nisha Suda at No. 6 singles.
"I played well yesterday," Schiffman said. "We just wanted to play as well as we could to close out the season."
Penn women's tennis coach Michael Dowd, however, hopes the team has at least one more match this season.
"I think we're right on the bubble," he said.
Penn is currently ranked No. 51, and Dowd believes that any team in the top 50 has "a decent shot" and even those in the high 50s have a "reasonable chance."
Even if the Quakers do not advance to the tournament, Dowd believes that this season was a success.
"It's been one of the best years we've ever had at Penn," he said. "With a young team, losing some great athletes, we had some players really step it up."
Schiffman echoed Dowd's sentiments.
"We definitely had a great season," she said. "I don't think [the possibility of not qualifying for the tournament] is going to put a damper on the season."
While the women wait to see if their season will continue, the men's tennis team's immediate future is more clear after a disappointing Ivy League finish.
The Quakers had an up-and-down season, finishing their nonconference schedule with an 11-3 mark before struggling to a 1-6 record in the Ancient Eight.
Against Columbia and Cornell, the Red and Blue were paced by sophomore Jimmy Fairbanks. Fairbanks won both of his singles matches, accounting for half of the team's points. He was Penn's most consistent player this season and, coupled with freshman Mikhail Bekker, will be counted upon for the next several years.
In addition, junior co-captains David Lynn and Craig Rubin return next year, providing Penn with an experienced lineup expected to rise in the Ivy League hierarchy.
If so, the men may find themselves in the women's current position -- hoping for an NCAA bid.
Staff writer Shawn Dimantha contributed to this story.
