Harvard's varsity swordsmen plunged deeper into the Ivy League cellar Saturday as they lost by a hair to Cornell, 14-13.

Cornell's sabre team captured six of nine bouts. But not even all-American Rich Weiss could beat Harvard's Al Makaitis. Sweeping three bouts. Makaitis edged Weiss 5-4. Cornell's Mike Marion, son of Harvard, coach Edo Marion, lost only to Makaitis as he took two of three duels. Crimson juniors Bob Damus and Dave Redmond dropped all their bouts.

Epee Squeaks

The foil team almost saved the match for Harvard. Captain Rick Kolombatovich, and juniors Tom Musliner and Dan Isaacson, each claimed two bouts as the Crimson triumphed, 6-3. The Big Red's Steve Botwinick came up with all three of Cornell's wins in foil.

In epee, Cornell squeaked by the Crimson, 5-4. Don Sieja, son of Princeton coach Mike Sieja, took three bouts. Sieja and Phil Polakoff helped slow down Harry Jergesen's march toward an all-Ivy berth by defeating him, 5-4, and 5-2. Steve Shea clipped co-captain Gary Silverstein, 5-3, and Phil Polakoff, 5-4

Harvard's Ivy record is 0-4. Currently sharing the cellar with winless Yale, the Crimson will tangle with the Elis next week for undisputed claim to last place. Cornell has won two Ivy matches and should finish fourth.