The games did not count, but the Ivy Preseason Scrimmage could have meant a lot for the Penn women's squash team.
In the tournament held early this month, the Quakers beat Dartmouth and squeaked by Princeton, teams they had lost to last year.
Penn is coming off a fifth-place Ivy League finish and a No. 6 national ranking. The Quakers had a 5-7 overall record and a 2-4 record in the league.
Coach Jack Wyant has high expectations for his team. It only lost two seniors and brought in six talented freshmen, four of whom played on the 10-player varsity squad at the scrimmage.
"Although we lost two players, we are in better shape this year than last year," Wyant said.
Emily Goodwin, Alisha Turner, Meggie Kempner and Tara Chawla will challenge the upperclassmen for precious varsity spots.
Wyant is impressed with the work ethic and character of his squad. His team has been able to have effective practices because his players showed up in shape. Their physical conditioning has allowed them to stave off injuries which are already plaguing other Ivy squads.
"They work very hard in everything they do, the on-court practice, the lifting, we do yoga once a week, the court sprints," Wyant said. "They're a tight team, which is not always the case in a sport where there is an individual nature."
Chemistry is very important to this team, and the freshmen have made themselves at home quickly.
"All six of them fit into our team really well, they've adjusted really well," said junior Radhika Ahluwalia, who is expected to play in the No. 2 spot on the ladder.
Without any seniors on the roster, Penn them two junior captains -- Paula Pearson and Ahluwalia. The two finished the season ranked 14th and 23rd in the nation respectively. Pearson -- Penn's No. 1 player -- is a two time All-Ivy selection and a second-team All-American.
Due to this dearth of seniors, this team has a rare opportunity to work together for two years.
"There's obviously a difference compared to previous years," Pearson said. "Everyone knows we'll be together."
"I think we're going to do real well this year," she added. "Based on the scrimmage we have a lot to look forward to."
The Quakers' schedule kicks off on Saturday when they take on Cornell in Ithaca, N.Y.. It will be the first of nine competitions against teams that were ranked in the top 11 nationally last year.
But Wyant is not deterred by the tough schedule, which has become a given in Ivy League squash.
"We've gotten on track, we're on course, I expect more positive results in the future," Wyant said.
Season outlook 2004-05 record: 5-7 Final national ranking: Sixth Coach: Jack Wyant Coach's all-time record: 5-7 First match: Saturday at Cornell Player to watch: Defending All-American and Penn's No. 1 Paula Pearson Captains: Pearson and junior Radhika Ahluwalia Key dates: Dec. 3 vs. Yale, Feb. 1 vs. Princeton, Feb. 24-26 Howe Cup
