For the Quakers, two heads worked better than one over the weekend.
The women's tennis team split six singles matches against Maryland, relying on a 2-1 doubles victory for the overall win, 4-3.
Fourteenth-ranked doubles partners Julia Koulbitskaya and Ekaterina Kosminskaya downed their Terrapins' counterparts, 8-4.
The second team of Yulia Rivelis and Amanda Avedissian narrowly lost, 9-7, setting up the rubber match.
Fortunately for the Quakers, the No. 3 pair of Michelle Mitchell and Charlotte Tansill hung on, 8-4, securing the point that proved to be the difference.
"Doubles starts first in the day and any momentum they gain can carry over into the other matches," coach Mike Dowd said.
"Twice this season doubles has won us the overall match."
Dowd was also pleased with his team's increased mental resolve compared to last week, when the Quakes lost 6-1 to Virginia Commonwealth.
Koulbitskaya - who won in straights sets in singles to remain perfect on the season - agreed that staying focused in matches has helped her.
"Being undefeated has built up my confidence," Koulbitskaya said.
"I don't get nervous anymore, which helps me play more rationally."
But Koulbitskaya is quick to credit her partner, Kosminskaya, for her unblemished record in doubles play.
"I think that her mastery and understanding of doubles has really infected me personally," Koulbitskaya said.
"Even though I am the upperclassman, I feel like I've really learned a lot from her and that's why our team has worked so well."
In singles, however, Kosminskaya - the reigning Ivy League Player of the Year - lost in straight sets to drop to 0-2 on the spring.
Last week, she faced Tatsiana Uvarova, ranked 35th by the ITA. Against the Terps, though, she went up against Michal Amir, a junior from Israel who is only 6-7 on the year.
The Quakers improved to 3-1 with the win and will be off until March 8, when they face San Diego State in California to start their spring break trip.
The California matches will all be outdoors, a different atmosphere from what Penn has been experiencing.
Dowd is hoping that Mother Nature takes a break, allowing the Quakers to practice outside once again.
