But last weekend, Princeton destroyed Yale, 9-0. Make that only Harvard and Princeton as favorites.
Even though Princeton is considered the best team ever assembled by many--the Tigers have recorded shutouts over all four of their opponents this year--the squad is not overly confident about the match.
"We feel pretty good about the way we're playing," Princeton's Jennifer Roos said. "Harvard is going to be our toughest match. We have strong players all the way down the lineup. I think we have the depth to beat Harvard."
"We're not expecting to lose to them," freshman Mary Greenhill said. "We think we have a good chance of winning the match. They're not unbeatable."
One for the Thumb
Since 1984, Harvard has won four out of the last five Ivy titles, and the last two. Princeton was runner-up to the Crimson three of those four times.
"We [the seniors] haven't beaten them during our four years here," Princeton's Holleran said. "It'll be great to beat them. We have to go out there and play our best squash that day."
"It's going to be a great match," Harvard's Tri-captain Liz Reynolds said. "It's clear that they've got one of the best teams ever put together on a collegiate level."
"It has traditionally been one of our biggest matches," Reynolds added. "The odds are on their side."
How good are Princeton's freshmen? Mary Belknap, Marnie Brooke, Roos and MacKay are all playing in the top five. Last year's number-three player, Ann Sawyer, is now playing at the number-seven spot.
Even though Princeton's freshmen are worthy of all the high marks, the Crimson's freshmen should not be overlooked. Greenhill and Brooke Bailey are both playing in the top nine. But freshman Carrie Cunningham is out for the season.
"Our freshmen are ranked nationally," Nichols said. "They add a lot to our lineup in different places. They are also excellent squash players."
"They have five excellent freshmen," Piltch said. "Their number-three player is now playing at number-six or seven. That shows how good their freshmen are."
While Princeton is favored to win, there are intangible factors that determine so many squash matches. The Crimson is hoping that those intangible factors will be on their side this weekend.
While Harvard-Princeton is the focus for the weekend, the Crimson will also face a fast improving Penn squad on Saturday.