"Lola's growth curve is going up and she had a breakthrough this weekend," Graham said. "She slams the ball harder than anyone [and] has tons of talent, but she just has to learn how to play with more patience."

The team's other freshman, Sara Barnett, played her first competitive tennis in nearly two years. Barnett, who was a high school All-State basketball player from Maryland, suffered two ACL injuries which have severely limited her ability to return to the court.

"Although I have been recovering from ACL surgery for well over a year, the team has been really supportive. The adjustment was easy," Barnett said.

Barnett and Ajilore comprise one of the smallest freshman classes in years, and their impact will in large part rely upon the health of the other Harvard players. This year's squad, with the exception of the freshmen and the graduation of Vedica Jain '00, is essentially last year's team. However, as Coach Graham pointed out, it is a team with an increased potential for success.

"Teams will think of us as the same team from last year, but the players have improved dramatically with their work over the summer and fall. I really like the position we're in," Graham said.

Of the teams which Harvard will attempt to surprise with its newfound depth and confidence, Princeton, Penn and Brown stand as the predominant roadblocks to an Ivy League title.

"It is too early to worry about [the Ivy League title] right now, but I think it's anybody's Ivy League to take this year," Graham said.