After dropping his singles match in straight sets, sophomore Jonathan Cardi teamed with Shyjan at number-two doubles to overpower Sibold and Kaplan, 6-3, 6-3, giving Harvard a 4-3 advantage in the team score.

Yale evened the score when Kennedy and Gollob rallied to take the first-doubles match from Zimmerman and Berry. The Harvard pair dominated the first set with a masterful display of volleying prowess, winning 6-1, but the duo dropped the next two sets, 6-4, 6-4.

All eyes were now on the number-three doubles match. The teams had split sets, and Brown and Chang were up a break at 2-1 in the third. But the Yale duo broke Chang's serve, and Theobald held to get back on serve, 4-3.

After Brown held his serve at love to even the game, 4-4, he and Chang again took the lead when they broke Ragen's serve. When Ragen's shot sailed long to give Harvard the match and the victory over Yale, the entire Crimson squad surged onto the court to celebrate.

"I am really happy to have come back and played well in a very important match after losing my singles match," Brown said. "I felt really comfortable playing with Albert because our games are very symbiotic."

Harvard Coach Dave Fish learned that winning does have its costs.

He was doused by a cooler-full of water in the waning sunlight of late afternoon-Soni doing the honors.

"We made Fish swim in water," Berry said.

"I am so ecstatic that we finally beat Yale," Soni added. "It's great how we really came together as a team to win it."

THE NOTEBOOK:Harvard puts its undefeated league record on the line when it hosts Brown today at 1 p.m. at the Beren Tennis Center.