Lee, Choo Make Finals in M. Tennis Tourney

Injuries both helped and hurt the Harvard Men's tennis team this weekend at the Northeast Intercollegiate Championships in Providence, R.I.

Sophomore William Lee won his first college title by defeating Marty Olthof of Rutgers in the "A" flight when Olthof retired in the first set with a shoulder injury. Freshman teammate Oliver Choo pulled a groin muscle and was unable to compete in the "B" flight finals after having an impressive run in the tournament.

The tournament was the first of the season for the relatively young team, which faces an uphill climb in trying to repeat last year's success. The 1998-99 team went 22-5 (7-0 Ivy), finished No. 19 in the nation and was led by James Blake, the nation's No. 1 player. Blake left Harvard after last season to turn pro.

"At this time of year, we are trying to give our players as many match

opportunities as possible so that we can see them in competitive situations," Harvard Coach Dave Fish said. "All in all, the players who we brought to Brown this weekend turned in solid performances."

Lee reached the finals by defeating another Rutgers player, Haji Jagsdale, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 in the semis. In the championship match, Lee took a commanding 5-0 lead before losing focus and dropping the next two games. Before the start of the next game, however, Olthof retired.

"I was returning well the whole tournament and I think the team is prepared for the ECAC [the league championships in two weeks]," said Lee. "I admit that I would've liked to finish the match, though."

Choo, playing in his first college tournament, surprised everyone in the "B" singles field. He played with a severe case of nerves in the first round but relaxed and gained momentum with each match. After defeating players from BU and two of his own Harvard teammates, he pulled a groin muscle before the championship match.

"I could've played, but it's better to be on the safe side," Choo said. He said that he should be fine in a couple of days and won't miss any more tournaments. He also said he needs more college experience but maintains that he will get used to it.

"I'm pretty happy that I stayed in each match mentally and never gave up," he said.

In other tournament action, junior Anthony Barker won the "A" field consolation tournament after overcoming a first-round loss. Playing aggressively from the baseline, he made quick work of Brown's Nick Malone, 6-1, 6-2.

"We need more matches like this on the outside," Parker said. "The team can't wait for the ECACs and this is a good way to get ready. We're a young team, but we work hard."

Co-captain Joe Green paired with Lee in the "A" doubles tournament and, despite being seeded No. 1, lost in the finals, 8-6, to Brown teammates Malone and Josh Hoskins.

Freshman Dave Weinstein, also seeing his first college action, won two matches in the "C" flight before bowing out in the third round. Junior Mike Rich, who had lost to Choo in three sets in the "B" singles, paired up with sophomore Cillie Swart and lost 8-4 to the No. 2 seed, Clay and Burns. Junior Steve Moore reached the "C" field quarterfinals before losing to Sonny Avichal of Army.

"It was a very good start for our first outing of the season," Fish said.

The tournament featured over 120 players from 15 schools. While eight Harvard players competed, not all of the top Crimson players were represented. Co-captain John Doran, Green's first cousin and the team's top player, stayed back, as did junior Andrew Styperek, presumably to warm up for the next two weeks.

Next week, the Crimson goes to Oklahoma for the Tulsa Invitational before the ECAC fall championships in Princeton Oct. 8-11..