Despite her success as a junior, Kaufman had other things than tennis in mind when she applied to colleges. "I was looking for academics, and the tennis wasn't a big factor," she said.

Tennis at Harvard has been an added bonus for Kaufman, and she maintains her dedication to the sport. "I feel very committed to the program. It has a lot of potential," she added.

Deanne Loonin was a late starter by tennis standards. She didn't pick up a racket until she was 10, but by the time she finished high school in San Diego, Loonin had become one of the top players in the Southern California section's brutal competition.

Loonin came to Cambridge largely thanks to junior tennis standout Maria Pe, who has been a close friend since childhood. Loonin has not regretted her decision, she feels she has matured with the team over the past two years.

"Last year a lot of us were freshmen, and we had a new coach. It took a while to get unified. This year I could tell right away that we were all going to get along," she said.

Loonin and freshman Roberta Hing have been devastating at third doubles for the Crimson. The pair are undefeated in the Ivies and knocked off both U.C-Irvine and U.C-Long Beach during the team's trip to California.

Hawaiian Punch

Kirkland's Tracy Kunichika also enjoyed a sterling high school career before coming to Harvard last year, she now alternates with Loonin in the sixth singles spot.

Kunichika seems confident that the team can capture the Ivies this year with wins over Princeton and Yale and she credits much of the team's success to Coach Usher. "He's really excellent with strategy and strokes," she said.

Usher himself has high hopes for the rest of the season. "The team has good character and depth. They have what a team is supposed to have."