Racquetwomen Wind Up Second in Howe Tourney

The Harvard women's squash team has arrived.

Playing seven matches over three days this weekend, the racquetwomen gave perennial dynasty Princeton its worst scare in years and finished second in the Howe Cup competition in New Haven, Conn.

Oh, the Crimson had given the Tigers a few tough moments, but Princeton never thought Harvard could usurp the national title from its claws. Not until yesterday, that is.

The Crimson opened with a pair of easy victories Friday, waltzing past Vassar and Middlebury by 7-0 scores without dropping a single game.

Saturday proved slightly more difficult. Freshman Lili Pew at number five injured her back against Yale, and Crimson captain Ellie Cunningham had to suit up for the remainder of the tournament. Despite the default, the racquetwomen still blasted the Elis on their home court, 5-2.

The script grew more interesting against third-seeded Dartmouth as Cunningham eked out a gut-wrenching five-game win, taking the final game, 18-17. Dartmouth played tenaciously, however, and the second-seeded Crimson managed a difficult and exhilarating 4-3 triumph. The day ended with a 5-2 win over Trinity.

Yesterday the racquetwomen edged Williams, 4-3, but everyone at the tournament knew that match was only a prelude to The Showdown between the invigorated Crimson and the historically dominant Tigers.

And even though Harvard succumbed, 5-2, for the first time since 1975 Princeton emitted a sigh of relief instead of a matter-of-fact acceptance following the head-to-head battle.

The Crimson, coached by the legendary Jack Barnaby and Pris Pool, now belongs on the same plateau as the Tigers, and seniors Wendy Sonnabend (number six) and Libby Pierpont (who moved into Pew's fifth slot) played their last Howe Cup in style. Pierpont lost only two games all weekend, taking all seven matches.

Top-ranked Jackie Corrigan performed strongly, and number-two Liss Harrison won four matches despite what she called "the worst slump of my career." Freshman Laura Kaye, seeded third, and junior veteran Courtney Stimpson at the fourth spot, rounded out the squad.