In a weekend of must-win games, outside hitter Anna Shlimak made sure her squad didn't lose.
Tied with Dartmouth for third on Friday afternoon, the Quakers defeated the Big Green before sweeping Harvard on Saturday.
The senior led Penn to a 3-1 victory over Dartmouth with a career high 19 kills, more than any Penn player all season.
"It was important because the team relies on me as a captain and senior," Shlimak said. "And you need to lead with your actions."
But the win was not assured. After Penn won the opening two games, the Big Green won the third and seemed to change the tide on the Quakers.
"They figured out how we were stopping them, and they changed their game plan and started tipping on us," Penn coach Kerry Carr said. "I told my team, 'Look, they changed their gameplan, and they got us figured out.'"
"I know when we are playing really well we can beat anyone in this league," she said. "But it's not about being the better team. It's about being able to execute what we need to win."
The Quakers did just that, winning the fourth game convincingly 30-19.
Penn took its victory march to Cambridge on Saturday and quickly swept the Crimson despite not playing their best.
"I didn't feel we came out very fast and quick," Carr said. "We were in a bit of slow motion, and I tried to challenge them to pick up the play."
The Quakers did enough for the three-game sweep as Shlimak continued her dominance. She again led the team this time with 14 kills.
"I ask her to lead every time she steps on the court," Carr said. "When your captain does that it trickles down to everyone on the court. After 14 kills the next night I was like 'Where are the other five, Anna!'"
After the Harvard match, the Quakers have now seen every Ivy opponent. At 5-2 they are tied for second place with Yale behind an undefeated Princeton team.
"We definitely have to beat every team from here on out," Shlimak said. "I'm not worried at all. It's very exciting and we have a real chance."
And after 33 kills on the weekend, the team's hopes could rest on Shlimak's right palm.
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