W. Netters Serve Up an Ivy Shutout

Vendetta was the name of the game this weekend. Harvard beat both Ivy League rivals this weekend and enters the Ivy Tournament as the undefeated top seed.

On Friday, Harvard (16-7, 7-0 Ivy) dropped the first match but then breezed by Yale in the next three games: 15-12, 15-3, 15-4.

On Saturday, personal revenge was a big motivation behind Harvard's win against Brown in four games. Last season the Crimson lost to the Bears in the finals of the Ivy Tournament.

"Our goal was to focus on controlling the match," said Coach Jen Bates. "Brown is always tough."

In the first game, the Crimson took a 4-0 lead. However, Brown quickly recovered and caught up 4-4. Both teams demonstrated a powerful offense, scrappy defense and a fight for every point. It was clear at that moment that the team who made the least mistakes was the team who would win.

"We had to play really hard. The key for us was rallying with them and winning points," Bates said.

The scores continued point-for-point 6-6, 8-8. Harvard's offense then stepped up with two kills by sophomore Linda Jellison and freshman Angela Lutich. Harvard built up a 13-8 lead and closed the game with a 15-10 victory.

"We were definitely excited about winning the first game, but we still needed to focus," Bates said.

As evidence of the struggle for points, the second game started with six sideouts before Brown scored the first point. Harvard then took control and built up a 6-3 lead with a key block by Jellison and co-captain Elissa Hart and then a kill by junior Melissa Forcum.

Brown, nevertheless, took advantage of Harvard's brief struggle with serving and passing and evened up the score at 7-7 before going on to win the second game 15-7.

Harvard did not let this loss distract them. "We still had confidence which was key and we played better in the third and fourth game," said Elissa Hart.

In the third game, Harvard broke out to a quick 5-1 lead, but Brown soon rebounded to tie the score at 5-5. Yet another point-for-point battled ensued until the end of the game.

"Harvard had to dig deep, focus on what play to execute, push points, be aggressive on defense and come right back at them," Bates said. "We needed to earn points and not look for mistakes."

Brown was the first to make it to game point at 14-13. Lutich stepped up with a kill to give Harvard back the ball and momentum.

"Angela kept swinging," Bates said. "And it was impressive for any hitter to step up to play at such critical moments."

Harvard scored another point and Elissa Hart sealed the victory with a kill.

In the fourth game, Harvard capitalized on the Browns' tired defense and took a 9-1 lead. Brown's defense, however, was not going to go down without a fight. as it narrowed the lead to 13-9. Kills by Jellison, freshman Katherine Hart and Elissa Hart gave Harvard a 15-9 victory.

Harvard now enters the Harvard All-Ivy Tournament in two weeks as the undefeated, top seed.

"This is the first time an Ivy Team has made it into the Tournament undefeated in the last two years," said junior Anne Schaeffer.

The Crimson will host the Harvard Invitational next weekend.

"Next weekend will give us more preparation for the Tournament," said Bates. "Lots of players get to play which adds to the team's chemistry and keep us fresh."

For the last two years, Harvard has lost in the Ivy Tournament finals. This year should tell a different story. "We can feel the rings," Elissa Hart said.CrimsonHenry G. WeiSERVE IT UP: The women's volleyball team served up its fair share of aces this weekend against Brown and Yale.

In the third game, Harvard broke out to a quick 5-1 lead, but Brown soon rebounded to tie the score at 5-5. Yet another point-for-point battled ensued until the end of the game.

"Harvard had to dig deep, focus on what play to execute, push points, be aggressive on defense and come right back at them," Bates said. "We needed to earn points and not look for mistakes."

Brown was the first to make it to game point at 14-13. Lutich stepped up with a kill to give Harvard back the ball and momentum.

"Angela kept swinging," Bates said. "And it was impressive for any hitter to step up to play at such critical moments."

Harvard scored another point and Elissa Hart sealed the victory with a kill.

In the fourth game, Harvard capitalized on the Browns' tired defense and took a 9-1 lead. Brown's defense, however, was not going to go down without a fight. as it narrowed the lead to 13-9. Kills by Jellison, freshman Katherine Hart and Elissa Hart gave Harvard a 15-9 victory.

Harvard now enters the Harvard All-Ivy Tournament in two weeks as the undefeated, top seed.

"This is the first time an Ivy Team has made it into the Tournament undefeated in the last two years," said junior Anne Schaeffer.

The Crimson will host the Harvard Invitational next weekend.

"Next weekend will give us more preparation for the Tournament," said Bates. "Lots of players get to play which adds to the team's chemistry and keep us fresh."

For the last two years, Harvard has lost in the Ivy Tournament finals. This year should tell a different story. "We can feel the rings," Elissa Hart said.CrimsonHenry G. WeiSERVE IT UP: The women's volleyball team served up its fair share of aces this weekend against Brown and Yale.