Tuesday's headline on the back page of this newspaper read "After two games: Any questions?" in reference to Penn's pair of big wins to start the Ivy League season. Well, as long as you're asking, yes, I have a few. Is the League race over? I agree wholeheartedly that Penn is in the driver's seat in the Ivy League race.
Observers would doubt the ability of No. 20 Franklin and Marshall to upset Penn, the No.1 women's squash team in the country. The doubters are probably right. But that's not stopping the Quakers (4-0, 2-0 Ivy) from taking this match seriously. In fact, they're looking at their visit to Lancaster and the Diplomats (4-3) as an opportunity.
By Andrew Sweet Staff Writer sweetad@sas.upenn.edu
By Eric Karlan Staff Writer karlan@sas.upenn.edu Women's basketball coach Pat Knapp discourages looking at the past, but one has to wonder how many close losses would have swung Penn's way had senior forward Ashley Gray not been ruled ineligible to compete first semester.
Former Penn coach Fran Dunphy was known for his short bench, especially during the Ivy League season. Outside of Dunphy's seven-man rotation, the only player who saw four or more minutes per game last year was Tommy McMahon (8.8 mpg). Coming into this season, new coach Glen Miller seemed bound to switch this top-heavy lineup.
Tune your television to any sports channel in the months of December and January, and you will undoubtedly hear talk of college football and the BCS.
Tune your television to any sports channel in the months of December and January, and you will undoubtedly hear talk of college football and the BCS.
Observers would doubt the ability of No. 20 Franklin and Marshall to upset Penn, the No.1 women's squash team in the country. The doubters are probably right. But that's not stopping the Quakers (4-0, 2-0 Ivy) from taking this match seriously. In fact, they're looking at their visit to Lancaster and the Diplomats (4-3) as an opportunity.
By Andrew Sweet Staff Writer sweetad@sas.upenn.edu
By Krista Hutz Sports Editor hutzkm@sas.upenn.edu In a season where two players have done the lions' share of scoring, it looks like Pat Knapp's beleaguered Quakers are finally getting some help. In its 61-58 defeat of Manhattan (4-13) last night, senior forward Ashley Gray contributed her second double-digit performance in her three games since returning to the team.
By Matt Conrad Senior Staff Writer mlconrad@sas.upenn.edu With one weekend of league play under the Ancient Eight's collective belt, there have certainly been some surprises. But a new challenge for Harvard is no surprise to anyone: It's been inevitable since the season began.
ITHACA, N.Y. - As time expired in the first half on Saturday against Columbia, Brian Grandieri heaved a shot from just past half-court that, 40 feet later, found nothing but net to send Penn into the intermission up 14 and Grandieri running into the locker room pumping his fist.
As I was watching Florida demolish Ohio State in the BCS National Championship game last week, it made me reminisce about the days when Penn used to win national football titles. Wait, you don't remember the championships of 1895, 1897, 1904 and 1908? I don't either, but fear not.
A small but vocal Columbia crowd came into Levien Gymnasium Saturday night fired up by memories of their team's nail-biting victory against then-Ivy-undefeated Penn last year.
Once again, the No. 14 Quakers fulfilled expectations. With a 1-2 record this past weekend at the National Duals, the wrestling team maintained its position as a top-15 squad with a win over unranked West Virginia and respectable losses against top-ranked Missouri and No.
Despite seven first-place efforts from the women's track team and three from the men, both squads finished second of four teams last weekend. Tim Kaijala finished first in the one-mile run with a time of 4:09.79. Kyle Calvo crossed the line first in the 55-meter hurdles at 7.
In its season opener - head coach John Ceralde's first at the helm - the Penn gymnastics team finished last in a three-team meet behind Maryland and Towson. The Terrapins finished with 191.750, while the Tigers ended up with 189.225. Penn finished over eight points behind, at 181.
The two women's basketball games this weekend started off similarly. Their endings could not have been more different. One night after blowing a 16-point lead in a heartbreaking 67-58 loss to Cornell (6-9 2-0 Ivy), the Quakers (5-9, 1-2) played strong for all 40 minutes and cruised to an 80-62 victory over Columbia (3-12, 0-2).
By Fred David Staff Writer fredd@sas.upenn.edu ITHACA, N.Y., Jan. 12 - Last year, Penn's Achilles' heel came in the form of a zone defense. In the second half on Friday evening, when Cornell switched from a man defense to a zone, the Quakers turned their old weakness into a newfound strength.
Despite residing in different conferences, the women's basketball programs at Penn and Manhattan have more in common than one might think. The Quakers (5-9, 1-2 Ivy) have underperformed thus far, most recently dropping five of their last six games. Similarly, it has been a season full of mishaps for Lady Jaspers (4-13, 1-5 MAAC), characterized by the eight-game skid they are currenty trying desperatly to break.
After his team's win over Columbia, Quakers coach Glen Miller offered the usual accolades that a coach gives his team after such a dominating performance. "We played good team defense, closing down and not giving them good looks," Miller said. "Good" is an understatement.
By Brandon Moyse Staff Writer bmoyse@sas.upenn.edu Going into Saturday's dual match against Williams, women's squash coach Jack Wyant felt the Quakers needed to be at their best to win and maintain their No. 1 ranking. After all was said and done, Penn left no questions unanswered about its newly earned status as top dog by blanking the No.
Solutions by The State News
