When the Quakers walk off the bus in Cambridge, Mass., they will be focused one thing: defense.
The Penn volleyball team's first Ivy League victory hinges on its ability to defend a much-improved Harvard team.
Much of this defensive responsibility rests with senior libero Liz Hurst, who has the team focused in the right direction.
"The key will be disciplined defense," she said. "If we are disciplined, we can dig anybody.
Harvard (8-5, 2-0 Ivy) is traditionally in the bottom half of the league, but it has started promisingly with two Ancient Eight wins in as many tries. Penn beat the Crimson in both contests last year, but the Quakers (5-7, 0-1 Ivy) cannot take today's game lightly.
Coach Kerry Carr knows the importance of a Quakers victory. "Everything is a must-win in the Ivy League," Carr said. "This will be a mark of where we lie in the league."
Junior setter Linda Zhang fondly remembers last year's wins, but she says that today's game will be a fight.
"You will see a lot of long rallies," Zhang said. "Hopefully, they will fall our way."
Zhang has her own game plan for winning in Cambridge. She will have the unenviable task of dealing with Lauren Las, Harvard's 6-foot middle blocker.
"I will try to spread the offense and run her around." Zhang said. "We are going to try to confuse her."
In order for Zhang to make a difference, Penn's hitters will need to step up.
Laura Black, with 116 kills on the season, figures to be the go-to hitter, but Carr is looking for someone else to rise to the occasion.
"Our middles have been there, but I would like one of our outside hitters to step up" Carr remarked.
Which outside hitter will step up, however, is a little murky because there is no clear starter. Carr conceded that it was still up in the air.
"I'm not sure who has that position now, but it's time for someone to step up," she said.
Carr did say, however, that she was pleased with junior Anna Shlimak's 10-kill performance in Tuesday's win over La Salle.
The Quakers take the court at 7 p.m., and no one is more excited than the Red and Blue captain.
"I love beating other Ivy teams," Hurst said after practice yesterday. "This would be a big morale booster for the entire team."
That, and a step in the right direction in the Ancient Eight standings.
