The Harvard men's tennis team could not overcome the power of the fourth-ranked team yesterday in the nation in the first round of the USTA/ITA National Men's Team Indoor Championships.

Playing in Seattle Wash., the Crimson fell 4-3 to the Rebels of Ole Miss, despite a win at No. 1 singles by Harvard sophomore James Blake.

Blake, the top player in the country after winning two collegiate Grand Slam events, defeated James Shortall in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.

Also winning for the Crimson was No. 3 John Doran, who beat the Rebels' Martin Selin, 6-4, 6-1.

No. 5 Joe Green defeated Ole Miss' Vikrant Chada in three sets, winning 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.

The Rebels' Andres Stenman defeated the Crimson's No. 2 Kunj Majmudar, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Harvard No. 4 Mike Passarella fell 6-2, 6-1 to Marin Sjoquist.

No. 6 Scott Clark lost to Ole Miss' Kristopher Stahlberg, 7-6, 6-1.

The Crimson doubles pair of Blake and Majmudar could not hold up against Shortall and Sjoquist, losing a pro set 8-5.

The Crimson entered the match ranked 16th in the country. Harvard will face the loser of the Illinois-Tennessee first-round match.