GREENVILLE, SC – Harvard women's tennis (8-2, 0-0 Ivy) closed out a 2-0 weekend by downing Liberty, 4-0, for their third shutout in the last four matches.  By only dropping two contests throughout the team's first ten matches, the Crimson are out to their best start in the Traci Green era, having last started 8-2 in 2002-03.    

How it Happened

The Crimson started the day by reversing their doubles result from yesterday to go up 1-0 early against the Flames.  Holly Fischer and Stephanie Yakoff got back to their winning ways by downing Daniella O'Neil and Priscila Janikian (Liberty), 6-4, at the No. 1 position.  Teaming up for the first time in 2023-24, Kavya Karra and Angel You clinched the point with a 6-3 victory at the No. 3 spot. 
 
Moving into singles action the Crimson got to work early beginning with Kate Kim completing a 2-0 weekend with a straight set, 6-4, 6-3, win in her second ever appearance at the No. 4 spot. 
 
Holly Fischer joined Kim in straight set victories with her win over Esther Lovato (Liberty) at the No. 2 position.  After winning a tight first set, 7-5, Fischer posted a dominant 6-1 decision to close out the match in the second. 
 
Capping off the day, first-year Stephanie Yakoff grabbed her first career win at the No. 1 position.  After dropping the opening set 1-6, Yakoff bounced back to cruise to the victory with a pair of 6-1 decisions in the final two sets. 
 
The Crimson closed out the match with ease as three matches still remained outstanding.  While Maxi Duncan did not solidify the match prior to the Crimson victory, she was one game away from a win at the No. 3 spot. 

Harvard Highlights

• Holly Fischer and Stephanie Yakoff have been a consistent doubles pairing for Harvard this season and the duo got back to their winning ways today to improve to 7-3 for the year. 
• Kavya Karra and Angel You teamed up for the first time ever in today's match and were able to post a 6-3 victory that ultimately clinched the doubles point for the Crimson. 
• Kate Kim completed a 2-0 weekend with her straight set victory at the No. 4 position.  The Crimson first-year now holds a record of 8-1 in dual action and 18-4 overall in 2023-24. 
• Holly Fischer bounced back to close her weekend on a high note by registering a straight set win and her first victory at the No. 2 position. 
• Stephanie Yakoff continues her success to kick of her first collegiate season by improving to 13-4 in singles action and 17-6 in doubles play. 

Results

Harvard – 4, Liberty – 0
Doubles

1. Holly Fischer/Stephanie Yakoff def. Daniella O'Neil/Priscila Janikian (Liberty), 6-4
2. Rachel Arbitman/Iveta Daujotaite vs. Marina Davtyan/Maria Turchetto (Liberty), 3-5 DNF
3. Kavya Karra/Angel You def. Sadie Daavettila/M. Juliana P. Romero (Liberty), 6-3

Order of finish: 1, 3
Singles

1. Stephanie Yakoff def. M. Juliana P. Romero (Liberty), 1-6, 6-1, 6-1
2. Holly Fischer def. Esther Lovato (Liberty), 7-5, 6-1
3. Maxi Duncan vs. Marina Davtyan (Liberty), 6-3, 4-6, 5-2 DNF
4. Kate Kim def. Daniella O'Neil (Liberty), 6-4, 6-3
5. Kavya Karra vs. Maria Turchetto (Liberty), 2-2 DNF
6. Angel You vs. Sadie Daavettila (Liberty), 1-4 DNF

Order of finish: 4, 2, 1

Next Up

Following an off weekend next weekend, the Crimson will return to the Murr Center for a back-to-back weekend beginning Saturday, March 2 against Boston University at 1:00 p.m. ET.  The next day, Harvard will return to the courts to battle Army at 12:00 p.m. ET.