Netwomen Bury Red, Cruise to 9-0 Triumph

The nation's 25th-ranked Harvard women's tennis team clinched at least a share of its sixth straight Ivy League championship Saturday by winning its 33rd consecutive Ivy League match--sweeping Cornell.

Before clinching a share of the title, the Crimson (19-7, 6-0 Ivy) recorded a 5-0 victory over Syracuse on Friday. Harvard has now recorded six shutouts in its last eight matches.

"We've clinched a share of the title," Harvard Coach Ed Krass said. "But we're looking to win it outright with a victory over Princeton."

"The team was stingy with their points," Krass said. "Overall, it was a tremendous weekend for us. It was cloudy, but it was bright in the sense that we left with no scratches."

In its first match against Syracuse, the Crimson swept all three doubles, and two quick singles matches to clinch the match at 5-0. Harvard had to leave early because of its long ride to Cornell.

Not So Bland

The nation's 39th-ranked doubles team, Harvard Co-Captain Kristin Bland and Jamie Henikoff recorded a 6-3, 6-3 decision over Caroline Larkin and Carol Krauss.

At number-two doubles, Christina Dragomirescu and Amy deLone lost the first set, 6-3, but the Crimson duo rallied for a 6-4 triumph in the second set. In the third and final set, deLone and Dragomirescu pulled out a 7-6 (7-3) victory.

Harvard Co-Captain Cyndy Austrian and Kathy Mulvehal breezed to a 6-3, 6-2 decision to give the Crimson a sweep in doubles.

Austrian and Henikoff sealed the victory with straight set singles victories. Austrian whipped Larkin, 6-3, 6-4, while Henikoff knocked off Krauss, 6-3, 6-3.

Where's The Gorge?

The next day, the only thing going for Cornell was the fact that it would play a part in the Ivy title.

At number-one singles, Co-Captain Bland recorded a three-set triumph over Barbara Prins. Bland won the first set, 6-4, but dropped the second set. In the third and final set, Bland stormed to a 6-1 victory.

In the number-three singles match, Austrian destroyed Ellen Phillips in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, while Jacki Farell pulled out a 7-5, 7-5 decision over Caroline Savage.

DeLone brezzed to a 6-1, 6-1 triumph in what Krass called a "flawless match."

"Amy played one of the strongest performances I've seen in some time," Krass said.

Mulvehal, playing at number-five, recorded a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jennifer Densey, while Dragomirescu captured a 6-4, 6-0 triumph over Lynn Veitzer.

Bland and Henikoff crushed Savage and McPeak in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.

At number-two doubles, deLone and Dragomirescu lost the first set, 7-6, but the duo fought back to capture 6-2, 6-1 sets to win the match.

Austrian and Mulvehal wasted little time in destroying Veitzer and Dolly Chugh, 6-0, 6-2.

Harvard can win the Ivy title outright with a victory over Princeton, Wednesday at Beren Tennis Center.