Netwomen Slam BU

The Harvard women's tennis team kicked off its 1987-'88 dual match schedule on a high note yesterday, knocking off a scrappy Boston University team, 7-2, at Beren Tennis Center.

Harvard was coming off a strong showing in the Syracuse Invitational Tournament last weekend, while BU (now 3-4) was trying to get over the 500 mark.

After suffering a mild scare last year in a similar situation, Crimson Co-Captains Kristin Bland and Cyndy Austrian made sure there would be no letdown this year.

"With unity being our biggest asset, we know we can beat anybody if we all work together as a team," Austrian said. "We were determined not to have a letdown today."

Harvard was led by freshmen standouts Jamie Henikoff and Amy DeLone, and junior Kathy Mulvehal--all three of whom registered victories in both their singles and doubles matches.

Despite gusty winds on a surprisingly chilly autumn afternoon, the Crimson took control early in the three doubles matches with aggressive play at the net. The netwomen quickly gained a 3-0 lead going into the six singles matches.

Coach Ed Krass said that the squad's aggressive style, along with its overall concentration, gave the Crimson the necessary edge to down the underdog Terriers.

Harvard captured four of the six singles matches, with Henikoff, Delone, Mulvehal, and junior Martha Berkman all collecting wins. With half of these triumphs coming from freshmen, things should only get better as the first-year players gain collegiate experience.

"Jamie has had experience playing under pressure in USTA sponsored tournaments, having been number 26 in the nation in the under-18 division last year," Assistant Coach Mark Wesselink said. "As long as her only errors are aggressive ones, she will keep improving."

Perhaps the biggest match of the day was the number-one singles match between Bland and BU's Stacey Vogel. After dropping the first set and four of the first five games in the second set, Bland started to mount a comeback with her sharp serve and volley game.

But Bland's charge was shortlived, as the visitor's passing shots were often and accurately deposited deep in the corners of the baseline.

"My mind wasn't totally into the game," Bland said. "I wasn't totally focusing on my opponent and keeping my concentration well enough to beat a player of her caliber."

Despite her loss, Bland remained upbeat and had only good things to say about the future of this year's netwomen.

"We beat a good team and it was a good challenge for our first dual match," Bland added. "It was a good preparation match for the upcoming tournaments, which will include some of the best teams in the nation."

The netwomen's next challenge will be at the Harvard Invitational, Oct. 9-11 at Beren Courts.

Women's Tennis 7, BU 2 at Beren Tennis Center

Singles: 1, Stacey Vogel, BU, def. Kristin Bland, H, 6-3, 6-2; 2, Jamie Henikoff, H, def. Kinda Kim, BU, 7-6, 6-1; 3, Rima Jasaitis, BU, def. Cyndy Austrian, H, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1; 4, Kathy Mulvehal, H. def. Rosalyn Chua, BU, 6-3, 6-4; 5, Martha Berkman, H, def. Diane Ison, BU, 6-2, 6-1; 6, Amy DeLone, H, def. Nancy Pastoriza, BU, 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles: 1, Bland-Henikoff, H, def. Vogel-Chua, BU, 6-2, 6-3; 2, Christina Dragomirescu-DeLone, H, def. KimIson, BU, 7-5, 6-2;3, Austrian-Mulvehal, H, def. Pastoriza-Jasaitis, BU, 7-6, 6-4.