No one on the women's tennis team knows what it feels like to beat Harvard.
But the Quakers are hoping to change that by the time they fly back from New England on Saturday night.
Penn's critical weekend starts on Friday at Harvard (3-12, 1-1) before they travel to Hanover to take on Dartmouth (8-7, 0-2) Saturday.
The Crimson have defeated the Quakers four years in a row during a remarkable 28-0 Ivy League stretch.
But this year's Crimson team is not nearly as strong. Several Harvard players have left the team for a variety of reasons, and coach Gordon Graham is gone after this season as well.
And lone Penn senior and co-captain Ashley Lostritto doesn't want her college career to end without a win over Harvard.
"Every year they're standing between us and the Ivy title," Lostritto said. "This year we are looking good going in. Beating them would be a great way to finish my four years."
The match could feature a marquee contest between Harvard's No. 1 Beir Ko and Penn freshman Ekaterina Kosminskaya. There are some rumors Ko will miss the match for an international competition, but the Quakers (13-4, 3-0) are preparing for her nevertheless.
"It would be exciting to see Kate play her," coach Michael Dowd said. "Kate is looking forward to playing it. Their number two is a great player as well. Either way we are just looking for a win."
Even with the emphasis the team is putting on Harvard, it is not overlooking the Big Green either. The focus during the Harvard match will be on the No. 1 singles, but it will be on the opposite against Dartmouth.
"Dartmouth's strength is in their depth," Dowd said. "If we win down low against Dartmouth I think we will win that match."
The biggest obstacle could be playing in Hanover at Gordon Pavilion.
"We expect them to be tough at their place," Dowd said. "They've had some real big wins there." The Big Green are 6-0 at home, but just 1-7 on the road.
The Quakers will be without Maria Anismova and Michelle Mitchell. Anismova is under the weather, while Mitchell has been battling a shoulder injury. The team will instead look to Lauren Sadaka to continue her undefeated streak. She is 12-0 in singles this year.
While the Quakers are favored in both matches, they aren't assuming victory and focusing on celebrating.
"A lot of people like to look at these indirect things to predict the match," Rivelis said. "Bottom line is you come out that day, the ball is around and you never know which way its going to go. You just have to give it your best."
