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Tennis: A Reversal of Expectations

POST-SEASON TENNIS NOTEBOOK

"I think we had a season that turned out to be a lot better than anyone expected," Stovell said. "Rueb and Marshall stepped up from six and seven singles to play one and two, and really produced for us."

Although the bulk of the team is made up of sophomores and freshmen, the team faces a loss in leadership as its only senior, Stovell, graduates.

"He's a hard worker, and really got everyone motivated," Burroughs said.

"We're going to miss Stovie next year," said freshman Howard Kim. "He really pulled us together as a team."

The Women

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For the women, though, the story is a little more bittersweet.

This squad, with a relatively inexperienced roster, was nevertheless healthy, poised, and optimistic about the season's prospects.

But then, there were the injuries...

An ankle here, an abdominal muscle there, old injuries, new injuries, sprains, strains, pulls--you name it, one of the players had it. And with each affliction came a shift in the line-up.

Three players saw significant time at the first singles positions. Junior Co-Captain Eliza Parker alone played at least three matches in four different singles positions, and competed at each of the three doubles positions at different times with different partners.

This lack of continuity without doubt thwarted any strengths the Crimson wanted to develop through the course of the season.

But Harvard, which finished the year 4-12 overall, 2-5 in the Ivy League, finished the year on an upbeat note with a 7-2 thrashing of Cornell.

"It was a good note to end on," said Head Coach Gordon Graham. "And it was a year where we all grew as a team. Going through a tough season is a real test of character, and I think everyone benefited."

The Crimson is wasting no time in planning for the future, and things couldn't look brighter for the young team. No seniors graced the line-up this spring, and expected for next fall are several key recruits that can only enhance the lineup. Talented rookies from New York, Poland, and a possible transfer from NCAA powerhouse Florida are prospective members for the Crimson next season.

"We've gained a lot of experience this year, and everyone is already thinking about next season," freshman Kelly Granat said. "Hopefully, we won't be plagued with injuries."

"This year, we were missing a little something. Next year, we'll have it," freshman Erica Cheng said, who shared the Alden-Bryan Most Improved award with junior Allegra Fitzgibbons and sophomore Kendra Harris.

"Next year, we'll be right in the

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