Harvard Women’s Tennis Dominates UMass and NJIT in Home Sweep

Harvard women’s tennis (7-7, 0-0 Ivy) delivered a statement performance over the weekend, dismantling University of Massachusetts Amherst (4-5) and New Jersey Institute of Technology (8-3) in back-to-back shutouts in a triumphant return to the Murr Center.

The Crimson first rolled past the UMass Minutewomen in a 5-0 rout on Saturday before turning up the intensity on Sunday with a 7-0 sweep over the NJIT Highlanders — a team that entered the match riding an eight-game win streak.

The dominant weekend extends Harvard’s home success as it builds momentum heading into Ivy League play later this month. With key players rounding into form and doubles pairings finding consistency, the Crimson is poised to make a push in the season’s crucial stretch.

“This weekend was a great confidence boost for us; Getting a few more wins at home really helped us build momentum heading into spring break and Ivy play, as it’s always a great feeling to successfully defend our home courts,” sophomore Stephanie Yakoff wrote in a text. “These past few matches gave us the chance to strengthen our game and carry that energy forwards for the rest of the season.”

Harvard 5, UMass 0

Harvard opened its weekend on a high note, showing control from the start against in-state rival UMass.

The Crimson claimed the doubles point convincingly, with junior Holly Fischer and Yakoff delivering a commanding 6-2 victory at the top court. Co-captains Rachel Arbitman and Angel You remained unbeaten on the year, securing a 6-3 win to clinch the point.

Singles play followed suit, with Harvard refusing to drop a set. Fischer, anchoring the No. 1 position, imposed her will in a 6-1, 6-2 victory over UMass’s Mariana Campino. Junior Charlotte Owensby backed up the effort at No. 2, conceding just four games in a 6-2, 6-2 win.

Perhaps the most notable performance came from sophomore Kate Kim, who made just her third lineup appearance of the season and capitalized on the opportunity. She cruised past Amelia Tye, 6-2, 6-2, marking her first singles win of the year. Sophomore Kavya Karra rounded out the Crimson’s sweep with an emphatic 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 6.

By the time the final points were played, Harvard had sent a clear message — it wasn’t just winning; it was dominating.

Harvard 7, NJIT 0

Sunday’s matchup against NJIT presented a different challenge, as the Highlanders entered on a tear, boasting an eight-match win streak. The Crimson, however, wasted no time in asserting itself.

Doubles play saw Harvard seize control early, with senior Maxi Duncan and Karra blanking their opponents 6-0 on court two. Arbitman and You followed with another efficient 6-1 win, improving their season record to 5-0 and securing the doubles point yet again.

From there, the Crimson’s singles lineup delivered another near-flawless performance. Fischer and Owensby continued their strong play, winning in straight sets at the top two spots. Fischer overcame a brief challenge in the opening set before pulling away 6-2, 6-3, while Owensby delivered a nearly identical 6-2, 6-2 victory.

Duncan produced one of the day’s most impressive performances, conceding just four games in a 6-0, 6-4 triumph at No. 5. Kim built on her success from Saturday with a gritty 6-1, 6-4 win, proving she could be a reliable asset in the lineup. Yakoff and sophomore Natalie Block completed the sweep, each securing straight-set wins to cap off a flawless weekend for the Crimson.

With the Ivy League schedule looming, Harvard’s resounding victories over UMass and NJIT serve as both a confidence boost and a showcase of the team’s growing cohesion. The Crimson’s doubles teams are clicking, and its singles lineup is showing depth, with players stepping up across all courts.

While the team sits at .500 on the season, its recent play suggests it is peaking at the right time. Harvard now turns its attention to a key West Coast swing, where it will face Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. The trip will provide another crucial test before the Crimson returns home for the start of conference play.

If this weekend was any indication, Harvard is ready to make noise in the Ivy League.