Netmen Knocked Out of Tourney

Some things are just not meant to be.

The Harvard men's tennis team excelling at the NCAA team tournament is one of them.

At the beginning of the spring season, Harvard, with three All-America seniors, had its sights set on at least a quarterfinal berth at the NCAAs.

But that dream came to an end Saturday, as fourth-seeded Georgia took three straight singles matches en route to a 5-2 victory over the 18th seeded Crimson in a packed Henry Field Stadium in Athens, Ga.

"We had good energy [against Georgia, Harvard Coach Dave Fish said." Georgia just jumped on us. They played good quality tennis. My guys played well, but we just played a better team"

Captain Michael Zimmerman said that Harvard had a legitimate shot at Knocking off the Bulldogs, but just suffered from a few lapses.

"We had hoped to go on further. We were a bit optimistic. But it was just a matter of a couple of matches and a couple of points," said Zimmerman, who fell 6-2, 6-2 to sixth-ranked Wade Maguire.

Still, Harvard does leave Georgia having achieved a measure of success.

The Crimson defeated Drake, 5-4, Friday to advance past the first round of the tournament for the first time in eight tries.

This match also marked the first victory for a Region I (Eastern) team at the NCAA tournament since 1979.

The Crimson went into this tournament knowing that it had to play well to avoid yet another first round disappointment. As expected, Drake put up a tough fight in a match which lasted five and a half hours.

Although Drake lost the first set in each of the nine matches played, It bounced back to win one doubles and three sniggles matches.

Key losses for senior Co-Captains Michael Zimmerman and Mike Shyjan, playing first and third singles respectively, resulted in a 3-3 tie at the end of singles play.

Shyjan made up for the singles disappointment by helping Harvard with a win at first doubles. Forced to play without regular partner Zimmerman, who has been nursing a wrist injury, Shyjan teamed up with sophomore Marshall Burroughs for an easy win, 6-1, 7-5.

A Crimson loss at second doubles tied up the score once again at 4-4. But Harvard finally clinched the victory after junior Peter Stovell and sophomore Ian Williams pulled out a tough three-setter, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 to send the team into the second round.

Harvard could not deliver a repeat Performance the following day, however. After taking five of six singles matches, Georgia clinched the match at first doubles.

Georgia's Wade McGuire and Bobby Mariencheck, ranked 10 nationally by the Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Association poll, upset third-ranked Shyjan and Zimmerman, 6-4, 6-3.

Georgia is looking for its third NCAA team tournament title, having won previously in 1985 and 1987. The victory against Harvard sends the Bulldogs into the quarterfinals for the sixth straight time.

Although Harvard is done for the season, some members will compete in the individual tournament which begins Wednesday.

Harvard will be represented by Zimmerman in singles, and the teams of Zimmerman/Shyjan and Chang/Rueb in doubles.

The seedlings for the individual tournament will be announced Monday night.

"It's kind of disappointing at the end. It was nice to turn a page in Harvard history, though, And one good thing is that we're still able to play some down here," Zimmerman said.

GEORGIA, 5-2 at Henry Feild Stadium

Singles

1. McGuire (Georgia) def. Zimmerman (Harvard), 6-2, 6-2; 2. Mariencheck (G) def. Chang (H), 5-7, 6-2, 6-2; 3. Sell (G) def. Shyjan (H), 6-1, 6-1; 4. Brown (H) def. Nevares (G), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3; 5. Williams (H) def. Patel (G), 7-6 (7), 2-6, 6-3; 6. Frierson (G) def. Rueb (H), 6-1, 6-3.

Doubles

1. McGuire/Mariencheck (G) def. Shyjan/Zimmerman (H), 6-4, 6-3; 2. Boiler/Nevares (G) v. Chang/Rueb (H), suspended; 3. Frierson/Sell (G) v. Stovell/Williams (H), suspended.

HARVARD, 5-4 at Henry Feild Stadium

Singles

1. Isaak (Drake) def. Zimmerman (Harvard), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1; 2. Chang (H) def. Dionne (D), 6-1, 6-1; 3. Hesser (D) def. Shyjan (H), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1; 4. Brown (H) def. Mabo (D), 6-3, 6-1; 5. Williams (H) def. Wiliems (D), 6-1, 6-3; 6. Nwachukwu (D) def. Rueb (H), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6).

Doubles

1. Burroughs/Shyjan (H) def. Dionne/Nisell (D), 6-1, 7-5; 2. Isaak/Nwachukwu (D) def. Chang/Rueb (H), 1-6, 6-3, 6-4; 3. Stovall/Williams (H) def. Denton/Hesser (D), 7-5, 5-7, 7-5.