Netmen Nip Navy, 9-0

The Harvard men's tennis team routed Navy, 9-0. Saturday afternoon at the Beren Tennis Courts. The Midshipmen took only two sets from the netmen, who are now 11-6 overall.

"We know we had to focus in," said the Crimson's Bill Stanley, "but then again, we knew we'd win."

Harvard swept the first five singles matches without giving up more than six games in any contest.

At first singles, Larry Scott--ranked 33rd in the latest collegiate singles rankings--defeated Navy's Mike Spanos, 6-1, 7-5.

At second singles, Harvard's Peter Palandjian defeated David Jones, 6-4, 6-1. Stanley, playing third singles, annihilated Graham Rogers, 6-0, 6-1.

Arkie Engle and Paul Palandjian each molved up a spot from their regular positions in the Crimson's singles line-up. Engle played fourth singles and defeated Scott Hallenberg, 6-4, 6-2, while Palandjian dumped John Chandler at number five, 6-2, 6-3.

Playing at sixth singles, the Crimson's Darryl Laddin was roughed up a bit by Rob Tibbs, before recouperating for a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 decision.

"Recently, Darryl has had a tough time," said Stanley. "He's usually very consistent, but this year he's been more up and down."

Laddin, who feels he's regained "about 85 percent" of the use of the ankle he injured in March, was very optimistic about improving his play.

"It'll get better," he said. "That's for sure."

Scott and Engle rolled over Jones and Spanos 6-3, 6-4, at first doubles. The Crimson duo has lost just once since the beginning of the spring season.

"We're on a real hot streak, right now," Scott said.

At second doubles, Stanley and Paul Palandjian defeated Rogers and Chandler, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0. The Crimson suffered a momentary lapse in the second set when Stanley lost three consecutive points on his serve at 4-5.

In the last match of the day, Laddin and Peter Palandjian won an abbreviated third doubles match over Tibbs and Hallenberg, taking an eight game pro set, 8-3.