Harvard’s women’s tennis team faced a tough opponent in the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, ranked No. 55 in the nation, and lost 5-2. The match showcased some fierce competition, particularly in doubles, where Harvard fought hard but couldn’t clinch the early points.
In the doubles matches, Harvard struggled. The pairing of Holly Fischer and Kavya Karra lost 6-2, while another pair, Maxi Duncan and Natalie Block, had their match called off at 6-6. The last doubles match also ended unfavorably for Harvard, with Angel You and Rachel Arbitman losing in a close tiebreaker, 7-6.
As singles play began, the Gauchos quickly took the lead by winning three of the first four matches. However, Harvard’s Stephanie Yakoff made a notable impact by defeating Anna Weissheim, who is ranked No. 105 nationally. Yakoff’s victory was a bright spot for the Crimson, winning in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5.
Kavya Karra also contributed to Harvard’s score, sealing her victory at court five. After splitting the first two sets, Karra rallied in a nail-biting tiebreaker, winning 11-9 to add a second point for Harvard.
This match highlights how competitive college tennis has become. According to the NCAA, the number of girls playing high school tennis has grown significantly in recent years, with a 14% increase reported since 2016. This surge might be contributing to the rising talent pool in college tennis, resulting in more challenging matches like this one.
As Harvard prepares for its next game against Dartmouth College on March 30, it’s clear the team is eager to build on its strengths and learn from this match. With Ivy League play on the horizon, fans will be watching closely to see if Harvard can turn its momentum around.
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