PHILADELPHIA – The Drew University women's fencing team took on some of the top competition the NCAA has to offer on Sunday at the Philadelphia Invitational, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania.
 
All five of the Rangers' opponents – Princeton, Northwestern, Duke, Columbia, and NYU – finished among the top-17 at the last year's combined men's and women's NCAA Championship.
 
Drew did not earn a team victory but enjoyed a number of impressive performances, including a stellar 9-6 showing from senior Caira Blake in epee. She finished 3-0 versus NYU, helping the Rangers capture a 5-4 epee victory over the Violets. She also went 2-1 versus Princeton and Columbia.
 
The epee squad picked up 16 bout victories on the day, including four from junior Amira Mutakabbir and three from junior Brenna Behensky. Mutakabbir went 2-0 against NYU.
 
Junior Assata Mutakabbir led the foil unit, as she finished 5-7 on the day and went 3-0 versus NYU. Sophomore Bella Hatzoglu added a pair of victories in foil.
 
Junior Nzingha Mutakabbir captured a pair of wins to lead the sabre team.
 
The Rangers continue their season on Sunday, Feb. 4 at the Wagner Invitational.