Sands and Scott Doubles Pair Sparkles As Crimson Dominates Quakers, 7-2

The Harvard men's tennis team had already clinched the match against the University of Pennsylvania at Palmer-Dinon Courts, and most of Penn's team members had finished showering. But still, Penn fans were screaming and clapping and the remaining Harvard players were delaying their showers to cheer on teammates Larry Scott and Howard Sands.

The tandem, playing first doubles together for only the second time, were paired against Penn's number one and three seeds, Eric Riley and Dave Friedman. And after losing a tight tie-breaker set, 6-7, they were slowly, mercilessly handing the Quaker pair its first loss all season. In a match that lasted some two and a half hours. Sands played with his usual consistency. But it was Harvard's number-five seed. Yardling Scott, who was most impressive to watch.

On the Rise

Challenged by Penn's Riley in several one-on-one reflex action rallies. Scott seemed to elevate himself to a much higher level of play. Whereas one would expect Sands, an All-American, to have to nurture the freshman through the match and carry the pair, it was Scott who contributed the unexpected punch he attacked fiercely and went for frequent wide-alley slams, catching his opponents off guard.

After practicing a week together, the Sands Scott duo were more relaxed with each other. They had both gotten their serving signals down and could anticipate partner reactions. Their opponents seemed unenthused at first, fairly confident that their match with Harvard would go as well as their past wins.

But as the match became more precarious. Friedman became more outrageously vocal, often cursing aloud. There were also disputes over calls. When Harvard took the second set, 6-4. Riley attempted to talk with Scott, but Scott wouldn't have it. The match became a tense confrontation of wills.

The third set continued to be rather high-powered, but while Penn played several strong points and their fans continued to clap and shout. Harvard began taking control, as if the match had been theirs all along. Each rally was played as if for match point, with Harvard coming out on top, as they did in the final set, 6-4, icing a 7-2 Crimson victory.

The other matches ended more quickly. Dave Beckman and Adam Beren finished off Penn's Glennis Merritt and Farley Weins, 6-4, 6-4. And when something went wrong with Rob Loud's shoulder at second doubles, he and partner Warren Grossman had to default the match.

Grossman's singles match provided another highlight. The senior took the first set 6-0 but Quaker freshman John Sobel battled back from a 4-0 deficit to win the second frame 7-5. Grossman then gave the frosh a lesson, in the deciding set, winning 6-2.

"Initially he didn't miss many shots." Sobel said afterwards. "Then I started taking net away from him, and that messed up his game." Extremely cool temperatures affected Grossman's game, and after singles play the teams moved indoors for doubles.

Harvard, now 12-4, will play Columbia today, at Soldiers Field.

Harvard 7, Pennsylvania 2

Singles

1. Howard Sands (H) d Eric Riley 0-0 0-2 2 Warren Grossman (H) d John Sobel 6-0 5-7 6-2 3 Cave Beckman (H) d Dave Friedman 6-0 6-2 4 Rob Loud (H) d Rick Shafer 6-2 6-4; 5 Larry Scott d Glennis Merrit 6-1 6-3 8 Farley Weiss (P) d Ken Kleinfeld 7-5, 8-4.

Doubles

1. Sands-Scott (H) d. Pulley-Friedman 5-7, 6-4, 6-4; 2. Loud-Grossman (H) d. Merritt-Weiss (default) ; 3. Adam Baren-Beckman (H) d. Sobel-Leon Hamul 6-4, 6-4.