SPORTS BRIEF: Women’s tennis suffers a narrow defeat at Pepperdine after cruising to two straight spring break victories

The Harvard women’s tennis team lost its bid for spring break perfection on Saturday in Malibu, Calif., losing to No. 8 Pepperdine. The Crimson fell to 10-6 on the season with the loss after inflating its record with consecutive victories over Fresno State and San Diego State to kick off its spring break road trip.

PEPPERDINE 5, HARVARD 2

Sophomore Stephanie Schnitter and senior Melissa Anderson contributed to the Harvard cause by notching singles victories in the No. 4 and 6 spots. However, their efforts proved not to be enough to propel Harvard over the Waves. Pepperdine swept the doubles point to cement its victory, ending the Crimson’s spring break on a sour note.

HARVARD 4, SAN DIEGO STATE 3

Harvard cruised to its second straight victory on March 28, topping No. 31 San Diego State in San Diego, Calif. The Crimson picked up two doubles victories, with junior Preethi Mukundan and freshman Laura Peterzan winning 8-2 in the No. 2 spot and sophomore Lyly Cao Minh and junior Cindy Chu earning a 9-7 No. 3 doubles win.

In singles play, senior Eva Wang scored a victory in the No. 1 position, while Anderson and Schnitter also posted singles wins.

HARVARD 4, FRESNO STATE 3

Harvard kicked off its spring break by scratching out a victory over Fresno State on March 28 in Los Angeles, Calif. The doubles point went to the Crimson, with senior Eva Wang and sophomore Stephanie Schnitter cruising to an 8-3 win in the No. 2 spot while the tandem of junior Elsa O’Rain and senior Melissa Anderson edged out a 9-8 win at No. 1 doubles.

Anderson was similarly successful in singles play, dispaching Fresno State’s Magdalena Tokarska. With the Bulldogs threatening to overwhelm Harvard in the singles matchups, Schnitter and Mukundan responded, sealing the victory with wins in the Nos. 5 and 6 spots.

The Crimson will see its next action on Friday when Cornell visits the Beren Tennis Center to kick off Ivy League play.

—THE CRIMSON STAFF