By Krista Hutz
Sports Editor
hutzkm@sas.upenn.edu
The women's squash team would like nothing more to than to get a second chance at Princeton.
Just over two weeks ago, Penn saw its undefeated season end after a 7-2 romp by the Tigers.
But in order to see an opportunity for revenge, the Quakers (8-1) will have to get through Williams (9-5), the first team they will face today during the Howe Cup in New Haven, Conn.
The three-day tournament, in which the Quakers earned a No. 2 seed, will determine the national champion. The Quakers met the Ephs earlier in the season and notched a decisive 9-0 win on their home courts, with six matches ending in 3-0 victories.
"We'll prepare the same way we did when we faced Williams a few weeks back," coach Jack Wyant said. "We try to have the same approach no matter what the team is ranked."
However, according to Wyant, today's match will also help the team loosen up and become adjusted to the courts before taking on higher-seeded teams. Yale's courts actually resemble Ringe Courts, making the transition easier.
If Penn beats Williams, on Saturday it will play the winner of the No. 3-seed Harvard-No. 6-seed Dartmouth match.
Although the Quakers are trying not to look too far ahead, if everything goes their way, they could meet the Tigers in the finals on Sunday.
No. 1 Princeton will need to defeat No. 8 Brown in the opening round and then take down either No. 4 Trinity or No. 5 Yale in the semifinals to reach the championship round.
And if given the opportunity, the Red and Blue feel prepared for this meeting.
"Most of us with the exception of a few will be playing the same people we played against Princeton, so we know their game," senior captain Radhika Ahluwalia said. "And I think we have a better chance this time because Yale's courts are the same as ours."
Last time out, Britt Hebden at the No. 4 slot and Alisha Turner at No. 7 were the only two Penn players to notch victories during the Tigers' shocking upset.
"We had a pretty sick feeling at Princeton two weeks back and we're desperate to turn that experience into a positive," Wyant said.
Wyant calls this his most successful year since taking over the program two seasons ago and for Ahluwalia, it is "the strongest Penn team" she has played for.
And for the University, this weekend could be the best opportunity in some time for a national championship.
