Harvard Women's Tennis Splits Doubleheader Against Wisconsin and Quinnipiac

Harvard women’s tennis (4-6, 0-0 Ivy) returned to the courts this weekend, splitting a doubleheader with a 0-4 loss to University of Wisconsin (7-1, 0-0 Big Ten) and a 4-0 shutout of Quinnipiac (1-3, 0-0 MAAC). After a tough weekend on the road, the Crimson looked to bounce back on its home turf.

Harvard 0, Wisconsin 4

On Saturday afternoon, the Crimson aimed to establish early momentum and determination that would carry through the long competition ahead. Harvard dropped its first two doubles matches, placing them at a significant disadvantage to Wisconsin and facing an uphill battle. However, a setback was not a problem for senior captains Angel You and Racheal Arbitman, still having a final doubles match remaining. Arbitman and You delivered a commanding 6-0 performance to shut out Wisconsin’s Parker Christensen and Ekaterina Ivanova and cap off the doubles matches against the Badgers. Through an amazing feat of teamwork, grit, and resilience, Arbitman and You provided a boost for Harvard heading into singles play.

In singles competition, the Crimson found mixed success. Both teams squared up fairly even across the board. On court one, Harvard sophomore Stephanie Yakoff soared to the top of the singles chart, leading Wisconsin’s Maria Sholokhova 6-3 and 3-2 before play ended. However, the Badgers stayed the course, proceeding to win every other singles match on courts two, four and six, sealing the crushing defeat over the Crimson to start the afternoon.

Harvard 4, Quinnipiac 0

Despite the initial loss, Harvard regrouped for its second matchup of the afternoon against the Badgers. Both teams entered the contest looking to recover from recent setbacks, Quinnipiac having suffered a recent 6-1 defeat to the University of Connecticut. This time, the Crimson capitalized on its home court advantage. Arbitman and You doubled down in wins with another extraordinary performance without conceding a single game. Sophomore Natalie Block and senior Maxi Duncan powered through with a commanding 6-1 victory, giving Harvard the doubles point and a 1-0 lead entering singles play.

Harvard’s momentum carried into singles action, where the team delivered an overwhelming performance. The highlight of the evening came from court one where junior Charlotte Owensby, a two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete ignited the Crimson over the Badgers with an emphatic 6-2, 6-0 victory over Quinnipiac sophomore Caitlin Flower. Duncan and You also notched victories, clinching a decisive win for the Crimson.

With the weekend’s split results, Harvard showcased its depth and resilience. Despite falling short to a top-tier Wisconsin team, the Crimson rebounded in a statement win over Quinnipiac, setting a strong tone for the rest of the season. As the team continues to build chemistry and sharpen its skills, Harvard will look to carry this momentum forward into its upcoming matchups. The Crimson will continue its home stretch upon its return to the court on March 1st against Stony Brook in the Murr Center.

– Staff Writer Chandler Piggé can be reached at chandler.pigge@thecrimson.com