“They definitely came out a lot stronger in doubles, so we need to work on getting a stronger start and being more aggressive from the beginning,” Lee said. “We knew that singles would be a tough fight and everyone fought to the end and knew that we were somehow going to be able to come out with four singles points.”
The doubles point went to the Big Green after the Crimson’s freshman duo of Natasha Gonzalez and Irene Lu was ousted by Julia Schroeder and Racquel Lyn. Gonzalez and Lyn both graduated from Houston high schools last spring, with Gonzalez captaining the best St. John’s School team since 2009 and Lyn winning four consecutive state singles titles without dropping a set while at St. Agnes Academy.
Mathis and Lyn had the distinction of being the only two players on either team to win both their singles and doubles matches. Playing at third singles, Mathis topped Harvard freshman Lexi Milunovich, 6-2, 6-3. It was the first match for Milunovich since Jan. 28 as the New Canaan, Conn. native has been battling injuries.
Despite the loss, Milunovich being in the lineup was a step in the right direction for the Crimson. The freshman was the top-ranked member of Harvard’s 2016 recruiting class and was listed as the No. 20 prospect in the country, according to the Tennis Recruiting Network.
“As the rest of the season progresses, she’s just going to start getting more and more comfortable playing her game,” Lee said. “I think that’ll be good and it’s nice to have her back and playing. Hopefully, that just helps everyone on the rest of the lineup.”
Lyn edged junior Annika Ringblom in one of only two three-set singles matches on the day. The first-year sandwiched a 6-2 loss between 6-3 and 6-4 victories at the fourth singles spot. The win by Lyn was one three singles points won by freshmen.
Like Lee and Oosterhout, Lu and Gonzalez were both able to bounce back from their doubles loss earlier in the day. After falling to Schroeder in doubles, Lu took care of business at No. 4 singles, picking up a straight set victory over the junior. Gonzalez followed suit at No. 6, topping fellow Texas freshman Chuyang Guan, 6-4, 6-4.
“Something that I think our team is kind of known for is our resiliency and I think that idea has been instilled into the back of their heads, knowing that even if we lose the doubles point, there are still six singles matches to be played,” Lee said. “If we lose the doubles point, it’s ok, turn the page, and get ready for singles.”
The win was a big one for the Crimson not only because it was the first time that it had won its Ivy opener since 2012 but also because Harvard beat a Dartmouth team that tied for second in the conference a year ago and was the highest-ranked Ancient Eight team entering the weekend, according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s rankings.
“I’m obviously very, very happy since I’ve never experienced this since I’ve been at Harvard,” Lee said. “I think it’s really going to build our confidence. It’s really tough losing the opener because you know you’re still in it, but it’s tough knowing that you’re already starting from behind so we’re feeling really good about getting this first win.”
—Staff writer Stephen J. Gleason can be reached at stephen.gleason@thecrimson.com.