Harvard Splits Against Non-Conference Foes

The Harvard women’s tennis team had a successful weekend, splitting with non-conference opponents No. 33 Illinois (6-2) and Binghamton (4-2). After a hard-fought, 5-2 loss to the Fighting Illini, the Crimson rebounded with a solid performance against the Bearcats on Sunday, winning 5-2.

NO. 33 ILLINOIS 5 HARVARD 2

Harvard met its first major test of the season when it hosted Illinois on Saturday. Although the Crimson played competitively in the doubles matches, the Illini’s experience and depth helped them defeat Harvard.

“I’m really proud of our squad today,” Green said. “We definitely had a lot of energy today, and I’m proud of the way we fought. I see a big improvement from last weekend.”

Senior Beier Ko dropped the first two games of her opening set, but quickly rebounded to 3-3 and proceeded to win at No. 1, 6-4, 6-4, improving her record to 4-0 in the dual season.

“I got off to a slow start, but we were very motivated to play Illinois as a whole,” Ko said. “I was really determined to win that match.”

Ko also played spectacularly with sophomore Agnes Sibilski in doubles at No. 2.

Down 7-5 to Marisa Lambropobus and Megan Fudge, Ko and Sibilski fought back to tie it at 7-7. After dropping the first point of the tiebreaker, the pair quickly garnered a 4-1 lead.

The teams exchanged two points each, and Illinois then answered with its own four-point streak to lead 7-6. Ko and Sibilski won five of the next seven points to win the tiebreaker and the match, 8-7 (11-9).

Jania won her match against Lambropobus to improve her record to 3-1 in the dual season, making her the only freshman since 2005-2006 to start 3-1 in the spring season.

After going down 3-2 in the first set, Jania continued to apply pressure and rebounded to win the set, 7-5. She used that momentum in the second set, comfortably winning 6-1 to capture the second point for the Crimson.

“Playing a top-ranked team definitely helps us improve,” Green said.

“It totally gets us ready for the Ivy season, and we’re not going to take anyone lightly.”

HARVARD 5, BINGHAMTON 2

After a tough loss to Illinois, the Harvard women’s tennis team rebounded impressively with a win over Binghamton. The Crimson (2-3) showed the depth of its rotation and played with energy against the Bearcats to win the match.

“I think overall it was nice to see our squad bounce back from yesterday’s loss to a tough team,” Harvard coach Traci Green said.

“Binghamton is definitely a dangerous team.”

The Crimson opened strong, sweeping the doubles matches to start the contest with a 1-0 lead.

At No. 1, captain Laura Peterzan and sophomore Samantha Rosekrans defeated Jillian Santos and Yulia Smirnova, 8-6, gaining their first win of the season as a pair.

Peterzan competed at No. 1 singles and comfortably closed out Binghamton’s Lauren Bates, 6-1, 6-0.

Freshman Camille Jania dominated the first set at No. 2, beating Santos 6-1. Santos rebounded with a 6-0 victory in the second set, and led 5-2 in the third set.

After winning three straight games to tie 5-5, Jania eventually forced a tiebreaker, but Santos won it 8-4, dropping Jania’s record to 3-2 in this spring.

Freshman Louise Laciny clinched the victory for the Crimson after a nail-biting first set, triumphing over Basak Gone, 7-5, 6-3. Classmate Caroline Davis notched her first career win in duals play by defeating opponent Danyelle Shapiro, 6-3, 6-1.

“I think we showed our depth today,” Green said.

“I’m proud of our freshman and how they stepped up in doubles and singles.

“It gives them confidence, and we showed we’re ready to put anybody in if we need to.”