Netmen Tame Notre Dame, 7-2

The Notre Dame men's tennis team had everything going for it on St. Patrick's Day.

Well, at least it thought it did.

Stepping inside Palmer Dixon Courts yesterday, the Fighting Irish must have thought they were in Heaven. The Irish walked in to see green courts, green nets, green curtains, green vents, two green walls, green pads on the wall and, of course, green tennis balls.

However, there was only one problem on this St. Patrick's Day: the Irish didn't have any luck.

Notre Dame left Palmer Dixon Courts seeing Crimson.

Yesterday, the Harvard men's tennis team improved its record to 2-0 on the young season. capturing a 7-2 victory over the Fighting Irish.

"We beat Notre Dame," Co-Captain Paul Palandjian said. "It's something the football team couldn't say for itself."

"They got us with their depth." Notre Dame player Sean O'Brien said. "They're injured and they still beat us. We thought we would beat them because of St. Patrick's Day and all of the green stuff around us."

Harvard freshman Ravi Kumar was the first person to come off the courts, capturing a 6-2, 6-4 decision over Ryan Wenger, while Harvard's Mark Leschly defeated Brian Kalbas in straight sets. 6-3. 7-6. giving the netmen a 2-0 lead.

The Crimson's Rob Soni, the number-six player, pulled out two tough sets over Dan Walsh. After winning the first set, 7-5, Soni fell behind, 3-2, in the second set. After breaking Walsh's serve, the sophomore rallied to win the next two games.

After falling, 3-0, in the tie-breaker, Soni came back to win the next seven points and the match.

In the number-three singles, Harvard's Hank Parichabutr dropped the first set, 6-3, but the junior fought back to win the next two sets, 7-5, 6-4.

"Hank's had his ups and downs, but I feel his game is building its way to a climax," Leschly said. "It was his stamina that pulled him through today. He's using his racquet much better as well."

At number two singles, Harvard's Jon Cardi crushed Mile Wallace in straight sets, capturing a 6-3, 6-4 triumph. Cardi's service and volley game was just about perfect. The freshman constantly charged the net and usually scored winners. Cardi's straight-set victory secured the victory for the netmen.

"It's good to have a win going into our spring trip." Co-Captain Arkie Engle said. "If everybody stays healthy. we have the potential for a really fine season."

Harvard's Ken Hao dropped a tough, 6-3, 7-6 decison to Paul Odland to round out the singles.

"The freshmen made a great showing," Cardi said. "After Ravi came out and kicked his opponent's butt, it was smooth sailing from there."

No Luck

Cardi and Roger Berry teamed up to capture a 6-4, 6-4 decion over Wallace and Reiter in the doubles. Berry and Cardi were originally scheduled to play number-two doubles, but an injury to Engle moved the duo to number one.

"Playing with Cardi is like having a nuclear weapon on your side." said Berry, referring to Cardi's powerful shots.