Netwomen Cruise Past B.C.

The Boston College tennis team was hoping for a miracle yesterday against Harvard.

But Doug Flutie himself could not have helped the Eagles, as the women's tennis team captured its 16th win of the season with a 6-0 victory over the Eagles.

With strong winds blowing and familiarity with its courts, B.C. gave the nation's 25th-ranked Crimson a good tune-up for its Ivy showdown with Dartmouth today.

"It was pretty windy," Harvard Coach Ed Krass said. "It was definitely an equalizer for B.C. We worked our way out of a tough jam. The team showed a lot of character."

In the number-two singles match, freshman Jamie Henikoff was the first Crimson player to finish her match. The freshman sensation cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Heidi Kunichika.

At number-three singles, Jacki Farrell recorded a straight set triumph over Michelle Chua, 6-2, 7-5. The other four matches were three-setters.

Things were looking good for the Eagles, as the squad won the first set in each of the four remaining singles matches.

After losing the opening set, 6-1, Harvard Co-Captain Kristin Bland rallied to win the final two sets convincingly, 6-4, 6-3.

Freshman Amy deLone and Regina Fogan split the first two sets, 6-3, 7-5. But deLone steamrolled the Eagle in the final set to win the match, 6-0.

Harvard Co-Captain Cyndy Austrian dropped a tight first set, 7-5, but the senior cruised to a 6-2 win in the second set. Austrian was in total control in the third set, leading 3-0 before her opponent, Barett Hanna had to retire because of blisters.

Kathy Mulvehal closed out the victory with a three-set win over Kay Sullivan. After losing the first set, 6-2, Mulvehal rallied to take the second set, 7-5.

In the third and final set, Mulvehal pulled out a 6-3 victory to give the Crimson its fifth team shutout in six mathces.

"It was very windy," Christina Dragomirescu said. "The B.C. players are used to playing outside. But everybody adjusted to the conditions and played great matches."

If Harvard defeats Dartmouth today at the Beren Tennis Center, it will clinch at least a tie for the Ivy title.