Women's Tennis Opens Ivy League Play; Hosts Columbia and Cornell

Freshman Kristin Norton holds a 9-4 record in dual matches at the No. 3 spot (phot courtesy of DSPics.com).

The Particulars
Harvard begins its 36th season of Ivy League play as it hosts Columbia and Cornell at the Beren Tennis Center this weekend.

About Harvard
Harvard stands 8-6 on the season and is returning home from seven matches on the road. The Crimson has not played on their home court since Feb. 14 when the team defeated Princeton, 4-2, in the third place match at the ECAC Championship.

Sophomore Holly Cao holds a 10-2 record in dual matches at the No. 1 singles spot. She posted an 11-4 record in fall tournaments, giving her 21 wins on the year. Junior captain Samantha Rosekrans and freshman Kristin Norton both hold 9-4 records in spring action, with the elder playing the No. 4 position and the rookie at the No. 3 spot.

In doubles play, the duo of Cao and Rosekrans hold a 6-6 record in the No. 1 position.

About Columbia
The Lions hold a 9-8 overall record entering the weekend with a 0-1 mark in Ivy League play. They are coming off a narrow 4-3 loss to Cornell on Wednesday evening.

Last spring, Harvard opened Ivy League play with a 6-1 victory over the Lions. The Crimson swept the doubles matches and claimed victories in five of the six singles matches.

About Cornell
The Big Red is 11-5 (1-0 Ivy League) entering the weekend after a 4-3 victory over Columbia Wednesday. Cornell faces Dartmouth Friday evening before traveling to Cambridge.

Harvard and Cornell met in the opening round of the ECAC Championship in February. The Crimson came away with a 6-1 victory after claiming the doubles point and posting victories in the No. 1-5 singles spots. Last spring, Harvard posted a 7-0 sweep of the Big Red in Ithaca, N.Y.

Last Time Out
The Crimson spent spring break in California, taking on California, St. Mary’s and Fresno State. After falling to the Golden Bears, 7-0, Harvard bounced back and topped the Gaels, 4-3, and swept the Bulldogs, 7-0.

On the Outside Looking In
With an 8-6 record in dual play, Harvard sits just outside the top 50 in the latest Campbell's/ITA Rankings at No. 52. Three of the Crimson’s losses have come at the hands of ranked opponents in No. 39 Illinois, No. 20 South Florida and No. 9 Cal.
 
Ivy League Queens
The Crimson has captured either the outright title or a share of the Ivy League title 18 times since 1982. Harvard split the title with Princeton in 2009.

Looking Ahead
Harvard hits the road again next weekend, traveling to Ivy League opponents Princeton (April 9) and Penn (April 10).