Racquetmen Down Amherst in Opener

Harvard's men's squash team bolted out of the starting blocks in its 1978 opener at Amherst yesterday, quashing the Lord Jeffs, 9-0, and proving it will be no easy task for anyone to stop them.

The Crimson was devastating in its maiden venture of the season, as it completely dominated the Jeffs, allowing them only one game in nine matches.

Two-time NCAA singles champ Mike Desaulniers looked as sharp as ever in his 15-10, 15-2, 15-4 dismantling of Paul Heuchling in the number one spot.

Captain Courageous

At the number two position, Crimson captain John Havens faltered slightly midway through his match, but finished impressively in a 15-3, 14-16, 15-11, 15-8 win over Bill White.

"I think it was a good start to the season for everybody, especially after that two-and-one-half hour bus ride," Havens said after the match.

Pleasures

"Everybody played really hard and we're really pleased with how things turned out," the three-time All-Ivy leaguer added.

Junior John Stubbs felled Zachary Pine at number three, 15-8, 15-11, 15-4, for the three-year veteran's first victory of the 1978 campaign.

Like the Industrial Revolution in England, the deeper you looked, the worse things got for the Lords, as the Crimson racquetmen at the bottom of the ladder dispatched their opponents with ease.

Sophomore Mitch Reese, returning from his successful debut last year, had no difficulty with Joe Belanoff, notching a 15-3, 15-6, 15-6 triumph.

Another returning letterman, Chuck Elliott at the number six position, heard barely a whisper from Amherst's Bill Halmi in his 15-8, 15-4, 15-6 victory.

Tuna Burgers

John Fishwick, who has moved up to the seventh spot after spending most of last year on the bench, likewise had an easy evening. Firsh downed Peter Evensen, 15-5, 15-7, 15-4.

Senior Jeff Secrest had more trouble than most in his 18-15, 18-16, 15-9 win over Paul Nyirjsey at number eight. But in the ninth spot, freshman Chip Robi debuted in style with an impressive win over Amherst's Peter Zinke.

The racquetmen bring their show home this Friday when they will attack Army at Hemenway Gym. In their next match they will confront Williams here on January 10.