The nation's 24th-ranked Harvard women's tennis team was eliminated from the NCAA tournament by Trinity (Tex.), 5-1, Wednesday at UCLA.

The Crimson was knocked off in the first round of the 20-team tournament. Last year, the netwomen were eliminated by top-seed and eventual champion Florida, 8-1.

Harvard qualified for its fifth straight NCAA appearance this year by capturing the Ivy League title and being ranked first in the East.

The setback ended a streak of 10 consecutive victories for the Crimson.

The teams did not play doubles because Trinity clinched the match with five victories in singles.

Harvard finished the season with a 20-8 overall record and won the Ivy League for the sixth straight season with a perfect 7-0 mark.

The Crimson's 20 wins is the most ever for the program. Seven of the Crimson's eight losses came at the hands of nationally-ranked teams.

"This gave us a good foundation for next season," Harvard Coach Ed Krass said. "The girls are disappointed that they weren't able to play up to their potential."

"It was a good experience for our younger players," Krass said. "We're proud about what we accomplished this year. It's been a great season overall."

Harvard's only winner was Harvard Co-Captain Kristin Bland, who defeated Jane Holdren, the nation's 52nd-ranked player, in straight sets.

In the first set, the junior sliced and diced her way to a 3-2 lead. Bland continued the rout by winning the next three games to win the set, 6-2.

The second set was a little tighter, with Holdren ralliying from a 2-1 deficit to take a 3-2 lead. But Bland fought back to win four of the next five games to give the Crimson its only victory.

"Kristin played a great match," Harvard's Christina Dragomirescu said. "She played her type of game. She ws in control the whole time."

In the number-six singles match, Harvard's Kathy Mulvehal and a long-time friend, Mary Gragberg, played each against each other for the first time.

Mulvehal played an excellent first set, capturing a 6-4 decision. But the heat would soon catch up with Mulvehal. The junior, exhausted from the heat by the matches' end, dropped the final two sets, 6-2, 6-2.