It was not spectacular, but the Penn volleyball team got it done.
The Quakers swept through the sixth annual Penn/ Sheraton Invitational at the Palestra this weekend, defeating Northeastern and Georgetown on Saturday, and Syracuse and St. Francis (Pa.) on Sunday.
Coming off a disappointing weekend in California, where the Red and Blue failed to win a match, the Quakers (6-4) fought throughout the weekend just to edge out some of the best competition in the Northeast.
Penn junior outside hitter Cara Thomason was named tournament Most Valuable Player, recording 45 kills and six aces, while only making 12 attack errors.
Freshman setter Linda Zhang was also named to the All-Tournament team, reprising her selection from the University of Virginia Tournament two weekends ago.
Penn head coach Kerry Major Carr had praise for Zhang
"It's great for a freshman to step up the challenge," she said.
"That's a confidence builder for our team, that the quarterback of the team is noticed by other coaches."
However, Carr warned that the Quakers still have plenty to work on as they approach the beginning of their quest for their fourth consecutive Ivy League crown.
"We still need to do better before we play the Ivies," she said.
The Quakers began the weekend with a 3-1 defeat of Northeastern (9-6). After losing a hard-fought game one, 30-27, Penn won the next game 34-32, and then polished off the Huskies, 30-21 and 30-18.
That evening's match against Georgetown (8-6) was a sweep for the Quakers, but all three games were close.
On Sunday, Syracuse (13-3) won the third game from the Quakers and also forced close victories in games two and four.
The Quakers closed things out against the hapless Red Flash (0-14). Penn had a much easier time, winning the three games easily, 30-24, 30-21 and 30-26. Thomason did not even see action in the weekend finale.
Carr said that the Quakers need to improve on their service game, and the numbers back her up. Penn recorded just 28 aces against 57 service errors.
"That's one of our strengths," Carr said. "So when one of our strengths turns to a weakness, we really have to get back on it."
With the Quakers' inconsistent effort and shaky service game, Carr credited the Quakers' attitude as the key to getting them through the weekend unblemished.
"I think it was the experience and confidence," Carr said.
Tournament MVP Thomason said that Penn had rededicated itself after the losses on the West Coast and had a certain set of goals in mind throughout the tournament.
"We had those goals in mind, like coming out strong and being aggressive," she said.
Thomason also acknowledged that with a young Quakers team, she and the other veterans have to be more vocal to lead the Red and Blue. She mentioned, however, that the freshmen and sophomores have been playing like they have been here before.
"I think that they do a really good job of sharing the leadership roles," Thomason said.
The Quakers may not be completely ready physically for the Ancient Eight season, but after this weekend, their minds are more than ready to try to defend their crown.
PENN 3, Northeastern 1
Northeastern 30 32 21 18
PENN 27 34 30 30
PENN 3, Georgetown 0
Georgetown 27 29 33
PENN 30 31 35
PENN 3, Syracuse 1
Syracuse 23 29 31 27
PENN 30 31 19 30
PENN 3, St. Francis (PA) 0
St. Francis (PA) 24 21 26
PENN 30 30 30
