W. Tennis Gets Off to Promising Start

The Harvard women's tennis season got off to a promising start last weekend at this year's Harvard Women's Tennis Invitational Tournament, where the Crimson won both the flight one singles and flight one doubles draws.

Harvard Coach Gordon Graham said the team's outstanding individual performances at every position point towards a very successful season.

"If we work hard and continue improving we can win the Ivy league title and even make it to the NCAA's," Graham said.

Freshman Gina Majmudar lost only one set through the entire tournament and captured the flight one singles crown by besting her teammate, and co-captain, Jill Brenner, 6-4, 7-6. Gina's outstanding success in her first collegiate tournament did not go unnoticed.

"We knew [Majmudar] was a good player," Graham said, "but I think she surprised a lot of people."

Brenner and sophomore Kate Roiter teamed up to win the flight one doubles championship over their Vanderbilt opponents in a set and a half. Commodores Susan Bregin and Meredith Chiles retired midway through the stanza, losing 6-3, 3-1.

The Crimson also figured in one other championship match and three consolation matches. Freshman Maryla Madura fell to Spencer Shelfer of Vanderbilt in three sets (1-6, 7-5, 6-0) in the finals of the flight three singles draw, while Erica Cheng had to with draw from her consolation match at flight four singles because of an injury. In doubles action, Kelly Granat and Majmudar won their flight one consolation match over the Richmond duo of Ashley Faherty and Camille Walter by default. Harvard's Ariel Clapp and Tanya Menon lost in the flight three consolation (6-3, 6-1) to Christine Trotter and Charmaine Ing of Cornell.

Co-captains Brenner and junior Kendra Harris said they share their coach's enthusiastic outlook on the season. Citing team unity and talent, they both said they feel confident the Crimson can greatly improve on last year.