W. Tennis Falls To North Carolina, Virginia

The Harvard women's tennis team did not shy away from tough competition this weekend, traveling to Chapel Hill, N.C., to take on North Carolina and rival Virginia.

And while the Crimson (3-5) walked away with two 5-4 losses, it will have a chance immediately to turn things around, hosting No. 11 Ole Miss today at 2 p.m. at the Murr Center.

Against both teams, Harvard's top player, Vedica Jain, sat out the singles matches because of an injury, but did lace up her tennis shoes for doubles. Even without Jain, the Crimson still managed to keep the matches close.

"We had our chances against Virginia and competed well in places against UNC," said Harvard Coach Gordon Graham.

Virginia 5, Harvard 4

On Saturday, against Virginia, the Crimson won just two of six singles matches and needed a sweep of the doubles to take the match.

Freshman No. 2 Sanja Bajin and freshman No. 6 Lara Naqushbandi both won their singles matches. At No. 1, junior Sanaz Ghazal nearly pulled off a win over the Cavaliers' Amy O'Donnell, but fell 7-1 in a third-set tiebreak.

At No. 2 doubles, Jain teamed up with Andrea Magyera for an 8-4 win. Fleur Broughton and Sarah McGinty breezed to an 8-2 win at No. 3.

But Ghazal and Bajin lost 8-5 at No. 1 in the match that decided the game.

North Carolina 5, Harvard 4

On Sunday, Bajin provided the only singles bright spot against North Carolina (4-5), beating Jessica Zyganczyk 6-4, 6-4 at No. 2.

Naqushbandi nearly pulled out another win after going up one set at No. 6 singles. In the end, though, she fell 6-7, 6-2, 6-3.

The Crimson got a good win from Bajin and Ghazal at No. 1 doubles, 8-4.

The Tar Heels forfeited the Nos. 2 and 3 doubles matches in order to rest their players.

"We found out more about our team and what needs to be worked on in the upcoming weeks before spring break," Graham said. "I like how this team is coming together, despite the close losses."