He came to Harvard in search of a solid education. Ironically, although Princeton now recruits much more aggressively than Harvard, the coaches from New Jersey never contacted Desaulniers. Chances are they don't want to let another slip away.

Like most squash enthusiasts, Desaulniers exalts the intricacies and fascination of squash. "Squash combines the strategy and tactics that racquetball lacks with the physical aspect that tennis lacks," he says with conviction. "It's cathartic--you go out there and beat the hell out of the ball. Besides, you can play it all your life."

But he does not feel the game is beyond criticism. "The administration of squash in the U.S. has left the game in its elitist roots--racquetball has scooped up the mass market, while squash has lagged, although it can be promoted with great success." He points to once tennis-hungry Australia, where squash now has greater popularity than its outdoor counterpart.

And, Desaulniers is the only person on the Crimson squad that will face Princeton who did not attend a prep school.

But social implications aside, the match Saturday should prove dramatic. It means more to Desaulniers and fellow seniors George Bell and John Stubbs than any previous varsity contest. To win, the Crimson will probably have to contend not only with the Tigers' depth, but also with a pack of bussed-in Princeton fans, who have intimidated Harvard in the past.

But Mike Desaulniers has the touch, the squad seems prepared, and the conditions for an upset seem propitious.

And lest Princeton fans rejoice in Desaulniers' final match against the Tigers, there is something they should know: Mike's younger brother Brad has applied to Harvard. The younger Desaulniers has twice reached the finals of the U.S. Junior Open.

"And he hasn't applied to Princeton," the Crimson captain says with a smile.