PHILADELPHIA - The first game of the season is sure to generate excitement and emotions from players and fans alike, but this year's opener for the University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team is extra special, as the Quakers will unveil their latest Ivy League championship banner into the rafters of The Palestra. Penn will take to the court for the first time in the 2019-20 season on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 12 p.m., hosting Siena on a busy homecoming Saturday in University City. 

In the Series vs. Siena: Fourth Meeting
The Quakers and the Saints have met three times previously, including a matchup in last season's opener in Loudonville, N.Y. The two split meetings in back-to-back seasons in 2001, before Penn picked up a victory last season, 58-51. Phoebe Sterba led all scorers in that contest, notching 16 points with four 3-pointers.

Catching the Game: ESPN+
Saturday's season opener can be watched live on ESPN+, part of the Ivy League's partnership with ESPN. In-game Twitter updates and video can be found at @PennWBB. A complete recap, box score and highlights can be found on PennAthletics.com shortly after the conclusion of the game.

2018-19 Season Recap
   -  Penn is fresh off its sixth Ivy League championship in program history and fourth in the last six years under Coach Mike McLaughlin. The Quakers tied the program record with 24 wins last season, with only seven losses, and went 12-2 in the Ivy League regular season to earn a share of the conference title. 
   -  The Quakers extended their program record to seven-straight appearances in the postseason, advancing to the second round of the WNIT. Penn featured three All-Ivy selections, including the Defensive Player of the Year in Eleah Parker. 

Scouting the Saints
Siena enters Saturday's game 0-1 on the year, falling in their season opener 89-62 to Binghamton on Tuesday. Sabrina Piper led a group of three players in double figures for the Saints with 16 points. Siena was picked to finish 10th in the MAAC this season after going 12-18 overall last year.

Against the MAAC
Coach McLaughlin is 6-2 all-time against opponents from the MAAC, including victories last season over both Siena and Iona. McLaughlin and the Quakers have won their last five meetings against teams from the league.  

Season Openers
Penn's season-opening win last season at Siena was its first to start the year since 2011. The Quakers are 3-7 in season openers under Coach McLaughlin, with three of those losses coming to Power 5 opponents.

Parker on Lisa Leslie Watch List
Parker enters her junior season as one of the premier post players in not only the Ivy League, but in the entire country. This summer, Parker traveled to Colorado Springs, Colo. as one of just 36 collegiate players invited to the U.S. Pan American Games Women's Basketball Team Trials. As a sophomore, she was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection, the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year and the Big 5 Player of the Year after bombarding opponents for 15.1 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 3.1 blocks per game during Penn's Ivy League championship campaign.

Leading the Way
Seniors Emily Anderson, Kendall Grasela and Phoebe Sterba were selected as captains for the 2019-20 season.

20-Win Seasons
Penn is the only team in the Ivy League to surpass the 20-win plateau in six-straight years under Coach McLaughlin. 

Up Next
The Quakers venture to The Garden State for their first road game of the season, set to battle NJIT on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.