The Harvard women's basketball team travels to Amherst tonight for its opening contest with the University of Massachusetts five, hoping to avenge last year's 68-51 loss to the Minutewomen.

The Crimson hoopsters compiled a 13-10 record last season in their first year in tough EAIA W Division One competition. Five returning letterwinners, led by junior captain Caryn Curry, form the nucleus of the young squad.

Leslie Greis, who led last year's squad in scoring with 14.3 points a game, did not try out this time around, and her absence under the hoop could leave a weak spot in the Crimson offense.

The Crimson lost only captain Katherine Fulton to graduation, but three-year center Sue Hewitt and flashy guard Tamar Atinc will not play this year because of thesis work, and sophomore Gia Johnson is also missing.

Curry, a good ball-handling guard forward, and Wendy Carle, a sharp-shooting forward, each averaged over 11 points a game last season, and can be expected to provide plenty of scoring punch.

Returning sophomore Sue Aboucher and freshman Elaine Holpuch should split the duties at center, while returnee Hildy Meyers and Yardlings Dorris Woolery, Kim Belshe and Jill Raney will anchor the forward spots.

Curry and soph Sue Field lead the defense, along with newcomer Lisa Bernstein.

Harvard will open with a zone defense, alternating between 1-3-1 and 1-2-2 today. Crimson coach Carole Kleinfelder expects UMass to present a man-to-man defense, and the hoopsters will attack accordingly.

Although the women lost to Providence in a pre-Thanksgiving scrimmage, Curry is optimistic about the season.

"We're stronger than last year, and we have more depth," she said last night. "We're looking to beat UMass, and we can do it," she added.

The UMass contest is a question mark--Harvard's young team may lack game experience. But the hoopsters look strong, and should be better prepared for the Divison One teams this year.