Across the river, behind the Bright Hockey Center at the corner of the athletic fields lies the splendid 18-court Beren Tennis Center. As one of the new gems of the Harvard Athletic Department, it is here that the new, extremely young Harvard men's tennis team will try to make a name for itself.

Starting this weekend, when Harvard hosts its Fall Invitational, tennis fans will be treated to many new faces and old faces in new places. Gone are John Doran and Joe Green, the Dublin Duo that captained last year's team. Gone, too, are the five straight Ivy League titles that made the Crimson one of the preeminent college teams in the country. And, perhaps most surprising of all, gone also is Dave Lingman, who had such a successful freshman season last year that he decided to go pro this summer.

Left in their places is an engaging mix of tested veterans and eager freshmen. Six freshmen, to be exact, which outnumbers any other class on the team.

Leading the 2000-01 squad are co-captains Michael Rich and Anthony Barker, who along with Andrew Styperek represent the team's senior class. If their stint as doubles partners last year was any indication, Rich and Barker will make a good pair.

Rich is the definition of a leader by example. A role player who saw plenty of action last season, he can be considered a father figure for the team. He took two years off in the middle of his college career to complete a Mormon mission, and consequently, at age 24, is a good deal older than some of his teammates.

"Mike's the conscience of the team," Styperek said.

Barker, an Australian, may have cemented his role as a team leader during last spring's Ivy League season. He posted a 6-1 singles mark, mostly at the No. 4 slot. During a match versus a tough Princeton team, Barker pulled through the decisive victory in less-than-perfect weather conditions to save Harvard from what would have been a crippling loss.

With the loss of Lingman, Barker is the highest-seeded player left. However, team play doesn't begin until later in the year and the lineup is nowhere near set.