For the men's tennis team, spring break will signify more than just a week without classes. With a three-match road trip in California on tap, it will also mark the annual switch from indoor to outdoor courts.
"Normally it's a tough transition," Penn coach Nik DeVore said. "But our guys actually play very well outdoors, so we're not that concerned about that, just looking forward to the challenge."
By the time the Quakers return from their road trip, they hope it will be warm enough to schedule the rest of their matches outdoors.
"It's just a different game outside," senior captain Brandon O'Gara said. "There are a lot more elements you have to worry about: the wind, the sun, the temperature."
O'Gara does not think playing outdoors will affect the whole team - a sentiment echoed by DeVore - because some players prefer playing indoors and vice versa.
Penn will look to bounce back from consecutive 5-2 losses to Louisville and Maryland, teams ranked 41st and 57th nationally, according to the latest ITA poll.
The non-conference schedule won't get any easier; within a four-day span, Penn will face St. Mary's College, California-Berkeley and the University of San Francisco.
"[All three teams] are very, very tough, especially at home," DeVore said.
Cal is ranked 38th nationally, and DeVore said that St. Mary's will likely be ranked within the next two weeks.
The three opponents primarily feature foreign players. (The Red and Blue, by contrast, have just one international student - Dmitry Bury, from Toronto.)
"The first part of our season, we played teams that . we felt we would find a way to come out on top of," DeVore said. "This time of year . we've got to step it up and play the tougher teams."
Doubles play has been Penn's biggest strength. The Quakers have won the doubles points in each of their last six matches. And following their victory over Louisville's No. 23 doubles team, seniors Jason Pinsky and Joseph Lok catapulted to No. 57 in the doubles rankings.
"Hopefully we can continue to take some doubles points, and the singles matches will come eventually," O'Gara said.
He added that it is very important to play top non-conference opponents in order to prepare and build confidence for the rigorous Ivy League schedule.
"As with any sport, the harder the non-conference schedule is, the better it's going to make you."
And, as the team is well aware, the non-conference schedule is only a precursor to the ultimate goal of an Ancient Eight championship.
"Everything is preparation for the Ivy League season, which is what this is all about for us," DeVore said. "Matches against these nationally-ranked teams . are just going to make us tougher."
The men may bump into the women out west, who take on San Diego St., UC Irvine, Pepperdine, Long Beach St. and San Diego.
