When the men's tennis team faces off against Brown and Yale at Lott Courts this weekend, junior Justin Fox hopes "history will repeat itself."
Penn has beaten both New England schools by a 5-2 margin, each of the last two years and wants to make it three in a row.
The Red and Blue are also looking for their third consecutive Ivy title. In 2006 and 2007, the Quakers tied for first place in the Ivy standings, with just one loss in both of those seasons.
"This weekend is very important because we've already lost one match," senior Joseph Lok said. "We have to win every single match from now on to even tie for first place."
Taking on the Bears and Bulldogs will be an uphill climb for a beat-up Quakers team. Junior and 2007 first-team All-Ivy Jonathan Boym has a torn shoulder and isn't certain when he can play again. Fox is returning from an ankle injury. And while Lok said that he will play this weekend, he doesn't know for sure when he will compete again after that because of his hurting elbow, which may have a tear.
The Bulldogs field a deep team that includes 6-foot-7 Michael Caldwell, whose frame gives him a huge serve, according to Fox.
Yale is coming off a 6-1 win over Manhattan College from Tuesday.
The Bears, meanwhile, have lost seven of their last eight games, but Fox is not casting them aside.
"Brown is the most competitive and spirited team in the league," Fox said. "It's unique how much they care about every match."
Penn is coming off a loss in its Ivy season opener against Princeton last weekend, 5-2. Yet according to Fox, that was much closer than the score indicated.
"This weekend could give us some momentum," Fox said. "Winning both matches could get us back on track."
Despite the Quakers recent bad luck, their seniors - Lok, Brandon O'Gara, Jason Pinsky and Eric Riley - have kept the team focussed.
"We're really close to [them]," Fox said.
"They're the guys who are really going to get us through this weekend."
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