Netmen Enjoy Twin Killing Weekend: Route Penn State and North Carolina

The Harvard men's tennis team hopes that weekend sweeps are habit-forming.

The netmen completed an impressive weekend double yesterday by blanking Penn State, 9-0, at Soldiers Field. The victory came on the heel of Saturday's 7-2 trouncing of the top-20-calibre University of North Carolina.

It also sent the Crimson (8-3 overall) into next weekend's critical league showdowns with Columbia and Penn on a wave of momentum.

Two wins next weekend would go a long way toward assuring the netmen of their fourth Eastern Intercollegiate Tennis Association title in five years.

The Cantabs bounced back from a late Saturday flight to play almost perfectly yesterday against the Nittany Lions.

Despite the absence of three regular players, Harvard did not lose a set in any of the six singles contests. Matt Porters, playing his first varsity the year, was a convincing 6-4, 6-0 winner at sixth singles.

In fact, the netmen lost only one set all day, in first doubles. But Larry Scott and Paul Palandjian rebounded to win that match in three sets and preserve Harvard's perfect record.

"Penn State said some good players," said senior Co-captain Dave Beckman, "but on the whole our depth was overwhelming.

Even more impressive was Saturday's road victory over the Heels. The Crimson once again dominated the singles competition, winning five of the six matches, and thereby clinching contest before the doubles matches even began.

Larry Scott sparked the netmen in first singles, with a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over UNC star Wayne Hern, ranked in the national top 40.

The Last Ark

Palandjian was also stellar, playing at sixth singles in place of the injure Arkie Engle (twisted ankle).

The freshman won an easy 6-1, 6-1 singles decision and then teamed with Scott for a triumph in second doubles.

Paul's elder brother Peter, playing third doubles, teamed with Scott Laddin to gave the Crimson another doubles victory.

"The team happy with his performance," Scott said Palandjian. "He played great match.