Zimmerman, Chang Lead Netmen Past Columbia for Revenge, 7-2

The Columbia men's tennis team discovered Saturday that a few good players does not necessarily a strong team make.

Harvard (10-5 overall, 2-0 EITA) decisively trounced the highly-touted Lions, 7-2, in front of 75 spectators at the Palmer Dixon Courts. The Crimson took five of the six singles matches, dropping only one set in the five victories against Columbia (7-5, 3-1).

With its victories in the top singles positions, Harvard served notice to the league that it can win at all six positions and is currently the team to beat.

"This was the big test," Harvard Coach Dave Fish said. "We know we've got some bigger ones coming up, but the team right up and down the line was really solid."

Catching Some Z's

Freshman Michael Zimmerman faltered in the second set but won the third handily to defeat senior Rob Kresberg at number-one singles, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2. Kresberg is currently ranked third in the East and 23rd in the country.

"He was missing a lot of balls, today, and I didn't make too many unforced errors," Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman dominated the first set, jumping out to a 4-0 lead as Kresberg managed to hold serve only once--in the fifth game. Zimmerman sent several winners past his opponent, who is considered a solid baseliner, from his own backcourt. He again broke to take the set when Kresberg sent a volley wide.

Kresberg quickly took a 5-0 lead in the second set, as he began finding his shots and Zimmerman began missing his.

"I think after the first set [Kresberg] started to play better, and I started to let up a little," Zimmerman said. "The third set was up for grabs, but luckily I won a big game at 4-2 [in the third]."

Junior Roger Berry extended Jeff Chiang, ranked fourth in the East, to 5-4 on serve in the first set before succumbing, 7-5, 6-2, at the number-two singles position.

Freshman Derek Brown came from behind in both sets to defeat Hari Aiyer, 7-5, 6-3, in the fourth spot. A study in form and controlled precision, Brown caught Aiyer flat-footed on several points with groundstroke winners.

"I has a little trouble getting started today, but I felt like I was dictating the match," Brown said. "Even thought it was and up-and-down kind of day, I hit enough good shots that I was never really in danger of losing. When you play a long schedule, it's important to be able to win even if you're not playing well."

Sophomore Jonathan Cardi rallied from a 5-4 deficit in the first set to defeat Tom Mahoney, 7-5, 6-0 at the fifth singles position. The last point perfectly exemplified the play of the match as both players exchanged a flurry of volleys, with Cardi winning when Mahoney's shot landed wide.

Freshmen Mike Shyjan and Albert Chang also won in straight sets at number three and six respectively. Shyjan utilized aggressive net play to defeat Lee Feldman, 6-4, 6-2. Chang prevailed over Jim Barkley, 6-3, 6-1.

Shyjan and Cardi dropped their match at second doubles, but Columbia forfeited the first doubles match.

"The other team didn't want to play," Berry said. "They were scared."

Chang teamed up with freshman Laszlo Serester to take the third doubles match rather handily over Kresberg and Barkley, 6-3, 6-2. The Columbia duo began several points with both players standing on the baseline--instead of the traditional doubles arrangement with one man up and one back--because Kresberg is stronger from the baseline than up at the net.

"[Albert and I] still have a long way to go," Sereseter said. "I'm more aggressive, and he's more consistent so that we complement each other well."

THE NOTEBOOK: Zimmerman expressed his appreciation for the vociferous support from the large Harvard contingent. "The crowd is definitely a major factor," Zimmerman said. "It's great to have the crowd get into it."...Harvard hockey Coach Bill Cleary was spotted in the stands at the match Saturday. According to Fish, Cleary is quite a competitor on the court as well as on the rink. "Tennis is my favorite sport," Cleary told a fellow spectator.