Netmen Eyeing 6th ECAC Title at Yale

Princeton vs. Harvard.

No, this isn't the usual battle for the top spot on U.S. News and World Report's list.

Instead, this weekend the schools fight for bragging rights within the Northeastern men's tennis community.

Starting today at New Haven, Yale hosts the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships. The team competition runs through the weekend with finals on Sunday.

Among the 12 teams competing in the tournament, Harvard, Princeton and West Virginia are the ones to beat.

The rest of the field includes Army, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Navy, Pennsylvania, Providence, Richmond and Yale.

Harvard comes into this weekend's tourney with the last five championships under its belt and the psychological edge that goes with such a streak.

"It is going to be tough but we will do well," Captain Peter Stovell said. "Our mystique from the last few years will help us prevail."

While this string of victories--due to the presence of three All-Americans--gives the Harvard squad extra confidence, it also serves as motivation for the other teams.

Five consecutive championships doesn't exactly produce many friends. Just ask the Duke basketball team.

"The other teams really want to beat us," sophomore Cesar Conde said. "They think that we are rebuilding and this is the year to get us. It remains to be seen if we can meet the challenge."

This then becomes the question: can the young Harvard team defend its throne?

From what the team has shown this season, the answer is yes.

Two weeks ago in New Haven (possibly an omen?) Harvard surprised everyone with strong play, capturing five singles and doubles titles.

Last weekend, the Crimson, led by sophomore Andrew Rueb, continued on its path of triumph. Harvard took both doubles finals and one of the two singles titles against a trio of Big Ten teams.

In addition to great players though, a team must have good coaching. According to most, that is not a problem.

"[Harvard Coach] Dave [Fish] has a thorough knowledge of the game. If any coach can take this young team to the NCAAs it would be Dave," Notre Dame Coach Bob Baylais said last week after his team felt the Crimson's sting.

Harvard then seems to have everything in its corner. The past and those five straight ECAC crowns, a young team that has gelled with every match and the experienced coaching that is essential for success at the highest level.

Chalk up six straight for Harvard?