Spikers Outclass B.C., Snag Easy 3-0 Victory

Boston College suffered a quick and painless death at the hands of the Harvard men's volleyball team last night at the Indoor Athletic Building.

The Crimson took an easy 3-0 victory that upped Harvard's overall record to 4-1.

With scrappy defense and solid setting, junior Russell Riopelle led the hosts to an early 6-0 lead in the opening game.

Captain Mohan Nadkarni and outside hitter Scott Alpert headed Harvard's powerful offense, as the spikers soon closed the first contest, 15-6.

In the second game, crimson Coach lhsan Gurdal made a change in the starting linkup, replacing Riopelle with Captain Terry Martin.

After some sloppy defensive play and a subsequent lapse on offense, Harvard soon found itself down, 4-0.

But Nadkarni rallied the spikers' back, leading the Crimson to a 5-4 advantage on a beautiful middle hit and four stellar serves.

Sean Doyle then pounded the outside, enabling Harvard to regain its composure and take the game, 15-10.

After that, it was Harvard all the way.

In the third game, the Crimson outclassed BC, demonstrating that its caliber of volleyball was on a higher plane.

Setter Riopelle became both more creative and more effective, connecting with Nadkarni on a devastating quick backset, and then experimenting with Alpert on several mid-court attacks.

At 14-3, an outstanding save by junior Bruce Cadenced set up a crushing hit by Doyle, and Harvard seized the match with a 15-3 win in the third.

"They're already showing progress," said Gurdal. "Sometimes a have comes over them and they play at half-speed, like in the second game. But overall, they're playing much better volleyball.

Players, too, seemed pleased with the team's performance.

"Put it this way," said Riopelle. "It's fun to win--and we had a lot of fun tonight."