GREENVILLE, SC – Harvard women's tennis (7-2, 0-0 Ivy) pulled off a resilient victory in their first match up of the weekend, defeating Furman (1-5, 0-0 SoCon).  With the win, the Crimson move to 7-2 on the year and post its best start through nine matches since the shortened 2019-20 season. 

How it Happened

To open the match the Paladins were able to best the Crimson in doubles action by grabbing victories at the No. 1 and 3 positions.
 
Harvard was quickly able to tie up the match as first-year Kate Kim cruised to a straight set victory with a pair of dominant 6-1 decisions.  With the victory, Kim continues her hot start in her first collegiate season improving to 6-1 in dual action. 
 
While the Paladins were able to pull back ahead with a win at the No. 1 spot, two straight victories from the Crimson pulled Harvard within a victory of clinching.  First Stephanie Yakoff picked up her 12^th win of the season by pulling out a three-set win at the No. 2 spot.  With either player taking a set, Yakoff posted a dominant 6-2 result in the final set to tie the match back up at 2-2. 
 
Maxi Duncan followed to grab her 10^th singles win of the season with a come from behind victory over Ellie Schulson (Furman).  After dropping the first set 2-6, Duncan powered to 6-4, 6-2 wins in the next two sets to put Harvard ahead. 
 
Competing in her first dual match of the season, senior co-captain Angel You ultimately clinched the match at the No. 6 position.  You was resilient, taking the first set in tiebreakers before closing out the match in the third with a 6-3 decision. 

Harvard Highlights

• Kate Kim continues to lead the Crimson in singles victories, improving to 6-1 in dual action and 16-4 overall in 2023-24.
• Fellow first-year, Stephanie Yakoff, trails Kim for the most singles wins on the team with a record of 12-4 overall and 4-2 in dual action through her first collegiate season. 
• Maxi Duncan reached double digit singles victories in 2023-24 with her crucial victory at the No. 3 position.  Duncan now stands with a 10-5 overall record. 
• Angel You clinched the match at the No. 6 position while appearing for the first time in dual action in 2023-24. 
• Moving to 7-2 in 2023-24, Harvard posts its best start through nine matches since the shortened 2019-20 season. 
• With the victory the Crimson remain undefeated against Furman, moving to 2-0 all-time against the Paladins. 

Results

Harvard – 4, Furman – 3
Doubles

1. Jess Dawson/Maeve Thornton (Furman) def. Holly Fischer/Stephanie Yakoff, 6-3
2. Maxi Duncan/Kavya Karra vs. Maxy Hitchcock/Ellie Schulson (Furman), 5-2
3. Sara Snyder/Grace Thomas (Furman) def. Rachel Arbitman/Iveta Daujotaite, 6-3

Order of finish: 1, 3
Singles

1. Sara Snyder (Furman) def. Holly Fischer, 6-4, 6-3
2. Stephanie Yakoff def. Maeve Thornton (Furman), 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
3. Maxi Duncan def. Ellie Schulson (Furman), 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
4. Kate Kim def. Grace Thomas (Furman), 6-1, 6-1
5. Macy Hitchcock (Furman) def. Kavya Karra, 6-1, 7-5
6. Angel You def. Jess Dawson (Furman), 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3

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

Next Up

The Crimson will close out its southern road trip tomorrow with a neutral site match against Liberty.  First serve is set for 1:00 p.m. in Greenville, SC.