W. Tennis to Host Terriers

If history is any indication, today's women's tennis match between Harvard and Boston University at the Beren Tennis Center should come down to the final rally.

The Crimson faced the Terriers twice last season and twice came away with 5-4 victories, with the final match deciding the outcome each time.

"We were really lucky to win those matches last year," head coach Gordon Graham said. "I'm expecting another tough match."

The Crimson is coming off an encouraging performance at the Harvard Invitational two weekends ago and will be looking to build on that momentum against a formidable BU opponent.

"They're as good, if not better, than last year," Graham said.

The Crimson, though, should not be hard-pressed to match the Terriers in talent.

"The team is a lot stronger and more confident than last year," said sophomore Gina Majmudar, the Crimson's first singles player.

The probable line-up features three new faces, including two freshmen: Mylin Torres at second singles and Gabriela Hricko at fifth singles. Sophomore transfer Rona Mayer rounds out the threesome at fourth singles.

Junior co-captains Kate Roiter and Kelly Granat are expected to start at third and sixth singles, respectively.

A hamstring problem combined with cold conditions may keep Roiter out of the line-up.

A major area of concern for the Crimson through the last week of practice has been forming consistent doubles teams.

With no returning doubles pairs from last year, the best combinations may take some time to surface.

The probable doubles tandems for today's match are Roiter and Mayer at first doubles, Majmudar and Torres at second doubles and Granat and Hricko at third doubles.

The first two doubles teams have played together since before the Harvard Invitational, each performing well in their respective draws.

Roiter and Mayer placed third at first flight doubles and Majumudar and Torres finished second at second flight doubles.

"Mylin and I get along really well," Majmudar said. "Our personalities are really compatible."

The Granat-Hricko duo has only been together since the Harvard Invitational but it has looked impressive at practice.

"They [Granat and Hricko] were on this week," Graham said. "They are streaky sometimes, though. I hope they can stay on in match play."

A slight change in the match format for today's contest may serve to allay the Crimson's insecurity at the doubles positions.

The match will be played in the NCAA men's format with one point awarded to the winner of two out of three doubles pro-sets.

The singles matches will still be worth one point each.