As A.J. Garabedian of Saint Joseph's tip-toed backwards following a Justin Lavner lob, he tripped over his own feet and got up from the court with a bloody elbow.
Like Garabedian, the entire St. Joseph's tennis team was bloodied by a superior Penn squad yesterday. The Quakers (12-3) easily won the match 7-0, winning all nine matches on the day.
Penn cruised through the singles matches, not dropping a single set to the Hawks (5-6, 1-0 Atlantic 10). David Lynn led the Quakers in the No. 1 spot (6-3, 6-1). Lynn was followed by Mikhail Bekker (6-1, 6-0), Lavner (6-3, 6-1), Tas Tobias (6-1, 6-2), Todd Lecher (6-2, 6-4) and Craig Rubin (6-4, 7-6(6)).
While the scores reveal that Penn did not struggle against the Hawks, St. Joe's did put up a fight.
"I was real happy. St. Joseph's came out real excited and with a lot of heart," Rubin said.
The only truly suspenseful part of the afternoon, though, were the doubles matches -- out of three matches, two ended in tie breaks.
Lynn and Bekker took first doubles 8-6. In the second slot Tobias and Joseph Lok won, 9-8 (2), and Brandon O'Gara and Lecher took the third slot, 9-8 (6).
Tobias considered the doubles victories especially important, since the Quakers have been struggling all year with doubles points. Tobias appreciated the challenge St. Joe's posed.
"I am happy we played so close," Tobias said. "The [Ivy League matches] will come down to one or two points."
Coach Mark Riley was eager to praise the doubles teams as well.
"It was a good match for us," Riley said. "St. Joe's doubles is pretty good. More than pretty good.
"We've been pretty good since spring break with doubles."
Penn has won five of its seven doubles points since spring break after dropping four of five previously.
Rubin, who sat out of doubles play, was also impressed with the doubles teams. He took pride in the fact that the Quakers found ways to win even though they were not all on top of their games.
Penn will begin the Ivy League season this Friday at Princeton at 2 p.m.
"We feel very confident going into Ivy League play," Lavner said.
"Our spirits are high. We played really well up to this point. Our results and ranking speak for themselves."
Rubin is also confident about his team's abilities.
"We feel very prepared. We know we are as good as any team in our league and now it is time to show it."
Riley said that he hopes the team will "play the way we've been playing in Ivy League play." He concluded that if the Quakers "play hard and play gritty, that will be enough."
