LINCOLN, NE – Harvard women’s tennis prevailed in its opening match of the weekend against DePaul, downing the Blue Demons, 4-3, in a nearly four-and-a-half-hour match. 

How it Happened

The Crimson began the day behind after falling in the doubles point despite a strong, 6-3, victory from first-years Kavya Karra and Stephanie Yakoff. 
 
Harvard went to work in singles play looking to come back for their second straight victory.  Holly Fischer continues to post strong performances while playing at the top of the ladder.  Ranking No. 103 nationally, Fischer’s dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory elevated her to 3-1 for the spring and 8-1 overall. 
 
Maxi Duncan joined for a straight set victory at the No. 4 position over Yulia Kizelbasheva (DePaul).  After winning a tight first set in tiebreakers, 7-6 (2), Duncan dropped just one game in the second set to secure her third win of the spring season. 
 
Stepping in at the No. 6 spot, Natalie Block picked up her first collegiate dual win by downing Emily Casati (DePaul) with identical 6-3 sets. 
 
The final win of the day came from Kavya Karra as she battled it out with Greta Carone at the No. 5 spot.  Karra began the match by taking the first set in tiebreakers, 7-6 (4).  Her DePaul opponent was able to even the score just narrowly besting the first-year, 5-7, in the second set.  Karra closed out the match with a dominant 6-1 final set, ultimately securing the victory for the Crimson. 

Harvard Highlights

• Kavya Karra and Stephanie Yakoff who led the team in doubles wins in the fall with a record of 8-2, teamed up for the first time in dual competition.  The first-year duo picked up the sole doubles win of the match, winning at the No.3 position, 6-3. 
• Holly Fischer continues to perform for the Crimson, improving to 8-1 overall and 3-1 in the spring with her straight set victory today. 
• With her win today, Maxi Duncan joins Fischer and Kate Kim with a team leading three singles wins in dual action. 
• Competing for the first time in dual action, Natalie Block picked up her first dual win of her collegiate career in a crucial 6-3, 6-3 win at the No. 6 position.
• Kavya Karra won her second straight match of the season to improve to 2-1 in the spring and 8-5 overall. 
• With the win over the Blue Demons, the Crimson grab the advantage in the all-time series now having won two of the team’s three meetings. 

Results

Harvard – 4, DePaul – 3
Doubles

1. Greta Carbone/Hannah Smith (DePaul) def. Iveta Daujotaite/Angel You, 7-6 (5)
2. Emily Casati/Yuliya Kizelbasheva (DePaul) def. Maxi Duncan/Rachel Arbitman, 6-0
3. Kavya Karra/Stephanie Yakoff def. Eleanor Nobbs/Sasha Stula (DePaul), 6-3

Order of finish: 2, 3, 1
Singles

1. No. 103 Holly Fischer def. Sasha Stula (DePaul), 6-2, 6-1
2. Hannah Smith (DePaul) def. Stephanie Yakoff, 6-4, 6-4
3. Eleanor Nobbs (DePaul) def. Sany Gawande, 7-5, 6-3
4. Maxi Duncan def. Yuliya Kizelbasheva (DePaul), 7-6 (2), 6-1
5. Kavya Karra def. Greta Carbone (DePaul), 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-1
6. Natalie Block def. Emily Casati (DePaul), 6-3, 6-3

Order of finish: 1, 6, 4, 2, 3, 5

Next Up

Harvard closes out its four-match road slate tomorrow as they take on Nebraska at 11:30 a.m. ET in Lincoln, NE.