Netwomen Lose Four, Win One

It was a bitter-sweet week for the Harvard women's team, which went 1-4 on its spring break jaunt to California. The Crimson--ranked 35th nationally--defeated a higher-ranked opponent in Cal-Santa Barbara, 5-4, but dropped a disappointing 5-4 decision to Fresno State.

"We were generally happy with the way we played," junior co-captain Kate Roiter said. "There were a few matches, though, that we could've pulled out but didn't."

The Crimson began its week-long stay, filled with sunshine and blue sky, with a closely contested 6-3 loss to Northwestern. The Wildcats, who were ranked above the Crimson in the national polls, won five of six singles matches to seal the victory.

Crimson sophomore Gina Majmudar fought through a persistent opponent--winning 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 at first singles--for the only Harvard singles win.

Majmudar teamed up with freshman Mylin Torres to win the second doubles match, also in three sets, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Freshmen Gabriela Hricko and Julia Kim won the third doubles match, 6-3, 6-3 to notch Harvard's third team point.

"It was our first match outdoors so it was tough to adjust," Roiter said. "Northwestern was just finishing their California trip so they were more accustomed to the conditions. Even though we lost we felt we were on the same level as them."

The Crimson next faced off against Cal-San Diego--the 23rd ranked team in the nation. Again the Crimson single's lineup was outmatched and only sophomore Maryla Madura was able to garner a victory at sixth singles, 7-5, 1-6, 7-6. With Cal-San Diego holding an insurmountable 5-1 lead after singles play, the doubles matches were canceled.

Harvard turned the trip around with a thrilling win against Cal-Santa Barbara. With the match score tied at 4-4, the third doubles tandem of Hricko and Kim pulled out a three-set victory to give the Crimson its sought-after upset.

"It was really exciting watching them [Hick and Kim] pull it out," Rioter said.

UCLA, the Crimson's next foe, brought Harvard down to earth in a hurry, however--crushing the Newton, 9-0. The third-ranked Bruins didn't drop a set in the singles or doubles matches.

"There was nothing we could do against UCLA," Rioter said. "Being beaten so badly hurt our confidence going into the Fresno State match."

While the loss to UCLA could have been expected, the Crimson defeat at the hands of Fresno State ended the week on an unexpectedly sour note.

"We were disappointed to lose to them because they were behind us in the polls," Torres said.

Again the match came down to the doubles contests, but this time Harvard couldn't pull out the victory.

"We played teams that are a lot better than we're used to," Torres said. "We had been taking things for granted before because the teams we were playing weren't as good. Going 1-4 will make us want to practice harder."

Any lessons the Crimson might have picked up out west will be tested this weekend as the Newton begin their Ivy League schedule with away matches Friday and Saturday against Columbia and Pennsylvania, respectively.

"Hopefully we'll win this weekend," Torres said. "I think we have a stronger and deeper team than both Columbia and Penn."