No wonder Penn volleyball captain Kathryn Turner is talking about a steep learning curve.
Not only does the Ivy League have an abbreviated preseason schedule - a disadvantage against non-conference opponents who have already played matches by now - but the Quakers haven't won a season opener since 2004.
"Playing in the Ivy League, it's something we've come to expect," Turner said of the scheduling.
Today, they look to end that streak against Fairfield (1-1) at 10 a.m. before taking on Bowling Green (2-1) at 1 p.m.
The League actually allowed teams to open practice a few days earlier than usual this year, albeit still later than other conferences. The Quakers are confident that the extra time will put them in a better position than last year, when they lost, 3-1, to the Stags in the third match of the season.
"I think we should've won last year," Turner said. "Most of us are back this year and are looking for revenge."
Fortunately for the Quakers, Kelly Oliver and Lindsey Lee graduated from Fairfield. The duo combined for 32 kills against Penn in their 2007 meeting.
Katie Mann, who had 22 kills of her own in the match, returns to the Stags, but Penn coach Kerry Carr isn't fazed.
"We match up really evenly with Fairfield," she said.
Carr added that the Quakers have been studying tape of Fairfield and feel as if they know their tendencies and weaknesses. Regardless of the result, she's looking forward to getting her team in a competitive match on the Palestra floor.
"Win or lose, it'll be a great learning match," Carr said.
While Penn has never lost to Bowling Green, that fact is also a problem in itself: The Quakers have never faced the Falcons.
Bowling Green is a formidable foe, having made the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament last season. The Falcons also return four All-MAC selections from last season.
Yet Carr & Co. are more focused on themselves than their opponents. The Red and Blue's lineup is still undetermined, and Carr anticipates that she'll tinker with it for at least a few matches.
Turner sees that as an advantage.
"People might play harder because they're fighting for a starting position."
Right now, though, Penn is just fighting for a rare opening win.
