The Harvard women's tennis team made an impressive bid for top honors at the 2000 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division I Women's Tennis Invitational Championship at Princeton University last weekend, but fell short of the top prize.

After trouncing an unseeded Rutgers, 6-1, in the opening round of the three-day tournament, and defeating No. 5 Boston University, 5-2, in the quarterfinals, the No. 3 Crimson bowed out to the second-seeded University of Virginia, 6-1, in the semifinals.

Touting a squad that finally boasts a majority of upperclassmen, Harvard proved that Friday the 13th was anything but unlucky. The Crimson effortlessly coasted to wins in five of the six singles matches, and swept the doubles.

"We are all pretty happy with our performance and improvements," freshman Lola Ajilore said. "We have some new doubles teams, and we are working very hard."

Captain Sanaz Ghazal, once again the squad's only senior, made quick work of the Scarlet Knights' Jennifer Hellier in the top slot, polishing her off in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.

Sophomore Lara Naqushbandi quickly followed suit, defeating Carissa Sommerlad in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1, and junior Fleur Broughton coasted past Kristen Shaughnessy, 6-0, 6-2 in the No. 3 match. Ajilore and junior Sarah McGinty overpowered their respective opponents to seal the Crimson's win.

Ajilore asserted herself early as a force to reckon with, defeating Andrea Weckstein 6-1, 6-1 in straight sets. McGinty pulled out a 6-2, 6-3 win over Kaitlin Link.

"I think we did pretty well overall and I'm improving as well," Ajilore said. "There's a big difference between junior, high school, and college tennis, and everyone has been so much help."