Netmen Slip By Owls, Take Season-Opener

The Harvard men's tennis team opened its spring season yesterday with a tough win over Temple at Palmer Dixon Indoor Courts.

An injury-depleted Harvard team (1-0) topped Temple, 5-4, in its 82nd season-opener. Harvard has three freshmen, three sophomores, a junior and one senior in its lineup.

"The young guys are raw and uncultivated," Co-Captain Paul Palandjian said. "Since I'm out with an injury, my job is to refine them. I hope to breath a little of my experience into their young racquets."

Roger Berry was the other injury-plagued netman.

"It was a good match," Harvard Coach Dave Fish said. "We got to see some of the younger guys who we really needed to see. They played under pressure and handled it well."

Harvard Co-Captain Arkie Engle knocked off Gary McGeehan, Temple's number-one player, 6-2, 6-2, while sophomore Rob Soni captured a 6-3, 6-3 decision over Jerry Goodman.

Hank Parichabutr dropped a close match 6-3, 6-4 match at number three to Mark Orysjkenich.

At number two, Mark Leschly--who had an impressive fall season--was impressive in his victory over Joe Lazardo. Leschley controlled the match with ground strokes and overpowering forehand shots.

In the number six singles, Harvard's Ken Hao performed well, but Richard Lees squeaked out a three-set victory. Meanwhile, freshman Ravi Kumar was involved in a tough battle at the number-four singles.

After splitting the first two sets, Kumar fell behind 5-3 in the third set. With three match points against him, Kumar fought back to win the next five points with aces and cross-court winners.

With the overall match score tied at 5-5, Kumar and David Astorinu each held his service-game to send the match into a tiebreaker. Trailing 9-8 in the tiebreaker, Kumar scored a hard forehand smash and an ace to win the set and match.

Doubles

Leschly and Parichabutr defeated Lazardo and Astorinop in two sets to secure the victory for the netmen.

Leschly and Parichabutr controlled the match with power, speed and technique en route to a 6-3, 6-4 triumph at number two doubles.