The victory marked the Crimson's first majortournament win since 1990.
Two other significant wins announced theCrimson's position on the national scene.
First, in February at the ITA National IndoorTeam Championships, the Crimson--then ranked17th--upset the ninth ranked Florida Gators beforeeventually falling to then-No. 5 Mississippi Stateby the slimmest of margins, 4-3, in the nextround.
The second wake-up call for the ITA was anupset of No. 12 Virginia Commonwealth a monthlater.
While there were many team triumphs, the seasonwill be remembered mostly for its individualperformances.
James Blake was the most impressive member ofthe team, going 36-5 in singles play and 33-3 indoubles action. The freshman's national rankingpeaked at No. 3, the highest ranking for a Harvardplayer since 1983. Blake was named both the NCAARegion 1 and EITA Rookie of the Year.
The continuation of the Blake legacy at Harvardwas put into doubt by James' spectacular play.Prior to the season, the pro tour was consideredfour years and a Harvard degree away for James.However, after a strong early season--most notablya defeat of No. 8 seed Mike Brian in the NationalIndoor Championships--Blake realized that the protour was not far away.
"When I beat Mike Brian, a player I grew upwatching, I knew that nothing could stop me if Ikeep improving," Blake said.
This summer James will test the pro waters asan amateur, almost certainly continuing during thefall term, and he will decided whether or not toreturn to Harvard in the spring based on hissuccess.
Joining him will be his brother. Tom was namedEITA Senior of the Year in a season that could bedescribed as a medical washout for the 1996-97EITA Player of the Year. The highlight of Tom'sseason--and a match that showed what he could dowhen healthy--may have been an upset of CedricKaufman of the University of Kentucky at the RolexInvitational Tournament. Kaufman was the No. 3player in the nation at the time. The elder Blakewill also take his show on the pro tour once herecovers from his long-term injury.
Joining the Blakes among EITA honorees wereFish and Majmudar. Fish was named EITA Coach ofthe Year for his guidance and Majmudar earned theSportsman of the Year Award.
Depending on James Blake's future, the Crimsonwill have either big or huge shoes to fill nextyear. Co-captains Tom Blake and Tseng are lost tograduation and James Blake may leave for the protour. The loss of all three would seriously changethe expectations for the team.
However, with a Blake still in the top spot,the Crimson can maintain incredible balance in itsteam.
Underclassmen Clark and Doran were mainstays inthis year's lineup, while next year's senior classincludes consistent performers Majmudar,Passarella and Elliot Weiss, a stellar doublesplayer who played little this season but would bea solid starter for most programs in the country.
The spring season showed that this team is nota top-heavy squad and that the Harvard program issolidly entrenched as tops in the East.