At the conclusion of this weekend's Howe Cup, the final team competition for the 2004-05 season, Penn coach Jack Wyant came away feeling that he was watching more of a beginning than an end.
Last weekend, 28 teams hailing from all over the country met at Princeton to determine the overall final season rankings. And while Penn exited with the same ranking as it entered with, it is clear that there is something to build upon for next season.
With the best collegiate squash teams in the country at the event, including every Ivy team, competition was fierce. Based on this year's record, the Quakers came into the tournament seeded sixth. After a weekend of matches, Penn finished the season in the very same position.
The Quakers began the tournament by falling to third-ranked Trinity, 9-0, but it was not a shocking loss -- the Bantams soundly defeated Penn, 8-1, on Feb. 13.
Next up for the Quakers was Brown, a team that they had beaten 5-4 earlier this season. However, Penn had lost two players since then, and victory would not be assured.
Instead of being favored, the Quakers were considered underdogs after the losses. But behind the leadership of senior captain Rohini Gupta at the No. 5 position and freshman Lauralynn Drury at the No. 4 position, Penn was able to squeak by Brown again, by the same 5-4 margin.
In the second consolation match, Penn faced fifth-ranked Dartmouth. While the final score might have been unfavorably lopsided toward the Big Green, who won 7-2, the play between the two squads was intense -- two matches were decided in the fifth and final game. Drury once again put up an impressive performance, winning her match in three consecutive games.
Both Wyant and Drury noted how close the match actually was.
"The match was a little tighter than the score would indicate," Wyant said. "It looked like we had a chance to win. We had an early win and with a couple more breaks we could have won 5-4."
Drury agreed.
"The matches could have gone either way and they all went for Dartmouth," something Drury believes will change next year. "We need to work on winning those big matches that we always seem to let slip out of our grasp."
Losing eight players and the coach from last year, the outcome of this season was anyone's guess. Under the new rigorous system implemented by Wyant in his inaugural year, the team worked harder than ever.
"They have surprised themselves with how hard you can push yourself and how far you can come in one season," Wyant said. "I am very impressed with the work ethic and attitude of the team."
The squad finished 5-7 overall and a 2-4 in the Ivy League. With seven of nine players returning next year, Wyant is convinced the team can and will get stronger.
"With a couple breaks and continuing on this year's success, we will be able to challenge any team."
