Tigers Tip Netmen, 5-4, in Finale; Crimson Finishes League Slate at 5-3

For the first time in 13 years, the Harvard men's tennis team finished with three losses in Eastern Intercollegiate Tennis Association play.

After recording two straight shutouts, the netmen lost a 5-4 heart-breaker to Princeton Wednesday at Princeton, N.J. The loss to Princeton was Harvard's first since a 7-2 decision to the Tigers in 1980.

The Crimson's final overall mark fell to 8-9 (5-3 EITA). Harvard's final match of the season--scheduled against Dartmouth--has been cancelled due to the current measeles epidemic in Hanover, N.H.

"It was certainly a learning experience," Arkie Engle said. "It wasn't an unenjoyable season, but it was a very disappointing one. A lot of things didn't work out. It was a fun season, I got a lot out of it."

At number two singles, Harvard's Paul Palandjian was the first one to finish his match, losing a tough 6-1, 6-3 decision to Princeton's Dave Gerkin.

Peter Palandjian had a little more luck in his match as he whipped Jacob Leschly in straight sets (6-2, 6-2). Leschely is the older brother of Harvard's freshman tennis player Mark Leschly.

The elder Palandjian controlled the match by charging in on Leschly's backand shots with volleys and overhead lobs that Leschly could not reach. Palandjian broke Leschly's serve five times with a variety of forehand passing shots. "He had to make his first serves because I was all over his second serves," Palandjian said.

At number four singles, Harvard's Darryl Laddin fell to Princeton's Rolf Harrison in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2 to give the Tigers a 2-1 advantage in games.

"Losing to Princeton was a disappointment," Laddin said. "It would have been nice to have beaten them in front of their obnoxious crowd."

After losing the first set 6-4, Harvard's Roger Berry came back from a 5-3 deficit to tie the match at 5-5. However, Princeton's Steve Pack closed out the match at 7-5 to increase the Tigers' overall lead to 3-1.

At second singles, Harvard's Arkie Engle recorded a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Princeton's Tim Maine.

With Harvard down 3-2 in singles play, one of the best matches of the day was played between Harvard's John Stinebaugh and Princeton's Steve Steiglehemer. After splitting the first sets, Steiglehemer jumped out a 4-1 in the third set, but Stinebaugh bounced to capture the next five games to win the match.

Stinebaugh's triumph sent the match into doubles tied at 3-3.

On the Brink

In third doubles, Berry and Stinebaugh fell to Princeton's Pack and Gerkin, 6-2, 6-1. Meanwhile, Engle and Laddin recorded a 7-6 victory in the first set of second doubles action. The duo was down 6-1 in the tie-breaker before bouncing back to capture eight of the next nine points. The doubles contigent went on to crush Pack and Gerkin, 6-1, in the second set.

With the match tied at 4-4 in games, the Palandjian brothers were involved in a tight match at number one doubles. After winning the first set, 6-3, over Maine and Harrison, the brothers proceeded to lose the second set by the same score.

In the third set, the brothers Palandjian were up a break (4-3), but failed to win another game. It was only the third time that the brothers have played together this year.

For the elder Palandjian, Laddin, and Dave Clark the defeat in New Jersey wrapped up their dual-match careers at Harvard.

"I've had a great time here," Laddin said. "I couldn't have imagined going through Harvard without playing tennis. I definitely enjoyed playing on the Harvard tennis team."

NATIONALS

Columbia is the only Ivy League team that will compete in the NCAA team tournament, while Peter Palandjian and Engle should receive bids to the singles and doubles individual tournament.

"I hope they do well," Laddin said. "They are representing the Ivy League, it would be nice if an Ivy team does well in the tournament. I hope they win."