We count down the top three moments from the 2012 cross country season, looking at Penn’s success at Iona, Brown and Lafayette

Shortly but sweetly brush up on last year’s up-and-down campaign for the Quakers.

At just 5-foot-6 inches, Dani Shepherd stood head over heels against everyone in the Ivy League last season.

Excellent middle blocking is integral to any successful volleyball team. With Penn’s high expectations for the 2013 season, they’ll be no different with senior captain Susan Stuecheli returning to head Penn’s middle.

The Quakers have a solid group of freshmen joining the squad, with Rachel Baader joining the Red and Blue as an outside hitter while Arielle Winfield and Lexi Slotkoff enter the year as middle blockers.

It’s an oft-repeated maxim in the classroom: Teaching others is the best way to learn. This summer, that age-old technique was taken out of the classroom and onto Penn’s volleyball courts.

While 2012 ended on a sour note for the Red and Blue as they got swept in the Empire State, the Quakers produced some memorable victories on their way to a winning season. Let’s look at three of the top moments.

With all eight Ivy League volleyball squads starting play this Saturday, it is fitting that we bring you the 2013 Ivy season preview now. As has been the case for the last few years, everyone is chasing Yale, with the Bulldogs going for their fourth straight Ivy League title. Can anyone dethrone the dominant Elis?

After having a season to remember in 2012, in which she led the team in every major offensive category, Julie Tahan has stepped into a leadership role as one of the captain’s of the improving field hockey squad.

Shortly and sweetly relive the Quakers’ run through its first winning campaign since 2006 a season ago.

Two years ago, Alex Iqbal was the freshman taking the Ivy League by storm. But she hasn’t taken the field since after tearing her ACL and meniscus. After a summer in India, Iqbal is now ready to get back on the field.

We countdown the top three moments from 2012, including a losing-streak ending victory over Villanova, a comeback win over Yale and a defeat of Brown to close out field hockey’s final game at Franklin Field

After winning the national championship, Princeton is the favorites to take another Ivy League title. Can anyone make a run at the defending champions? We look at the entire Ancient Eight, from bottom to top.

With the new Ellen Vagelos Field in place, Penn field hockey has its first field hockey-specific field ever. This signals that Fink’s program will no longer be at a distinct disadvantage in comparison to other Ivies in scheduling, recruiting and gameplay.

All the numbers seemed to finally go Penn’s way last season. But one stat kept getting in the way in 2012 — three goals allowed per game, good for last in the Ivy League. Now the defense is looking to be more aggressive and improve overall.

What our editors took away from Media Day.

Shortly and sweetly revisit the Quakers’ slog through its 3-13 campaign from last year.