A year ago she started at the bottom of the Harvard women's tennis team's ladder.

This year, she's already climbed her way to number one in the East.

Buoyed by the stunning victory of junior Erika Smith this weekend--a victory that propelled her to the East's number-one collegiate ranking--the Harvard squad scored a minor upset at Princeton's Win Lenz Tennis Center and brought home he first Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) title.

With 125 points, the net women defeated their Ivy hosts in four of six events and upset the defending champion Tigers, who edged Syracuse University for second place with 76 points.

The highlight of the weekend tourney was Smith's victory over Hilary Shane of Princeton 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the 'A' division.

For Smith, who a year ago defaulted from this tourney because of an injury, the triumph was her biggest win in a Harvard uniform.

In the 'B' division final, Harvard's Kathy Vigna completed five straight set victories with a 6-1, 6-1 triumph over teammate Cyndy Austrian.

James Madison's Kathy Jutras took the 'C' division's top honors with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Princeton's Leslie Simon.

The Harvard team victory was all the more impressive in light of Cap Debble Kaufman's absence and the recent decision of former top-seed Elizabeth Evans to no longer play competitive collegiate tennis.

So it was a pleasant surprise when Harvard's 'A' and 'B' doubles teams--playing together for the first time--scored championship victories.

In the top flight, Kathy Vigna teamed with sophomore Robin Boss for a come-from-behind 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 win over William and Mary, Erika Smith and Cyndy Austrian took the 'B' doubles honors by default.

Syracuse needed three sets to defeat Princeton in the 'C' doubles division.

Harvard's 49 point victory over Princeton, last year's victors by four points, was the result of "everyone playing really well." Harvard Coach Donald Usher said last night. "It was just that kind of weekend," he continued. "Erika proved to a lot of people what she can do."

Usher's praise for players extended through the ranks, including freshman Karen Kodsi who "gave the team a lot of spark." Usher said after she won the first match in three sets over a Richmond University opponent.

THE NOTEBOOK: Harvard sophomore Patty Diker won the 'C' singles consolation tournament, giving the Crimson four more points.