M. Volleyball Pillages Pioneers

In the nineteenth century, brave American pioneers traversed overland trails and forded rushing rivers to establish new settlements for the burgeoning nation.

Last night, the tough play of the Harvard men's volleyball team (6-1, 4-0 EIVA) made the Oregon Trail feel like a walk in the park for the Sacred Heart Pioneers (6-9, 2-4). The Pioneers fell to the Crimson at the Malkin Athletic Center, 3-0 (15-13, 15-5, 15-12).

Harvard, whose road trip to Virginia this past weekend was cancelled due to inclement weather, looked well-rested in warm-ups, and grabbed the momentum to start the match.

Riding the emotion of dramatic blocks by sophomore middle blocker Justin Denham and junior co-captain Justin Micomonaco, the Crimson surged to an early 3-0 lead in the first game.

The block party continued for Harvard, with junior outside hitter Brian Stevenson getting into the act, and the Crimson extended its lead to 6-0.

"Our blocking is definitely coming along," Micomonaco said, "We're finally taking care of business at the net."

Despite Harvard's stifling floor defense early on, Sacred Heart clawed its way back into the first game behind two aces and continued offensive pressure. The Pioneers scored the next six points, and suddenly the Crimson's dominance was in question.

The game continued with momentum swings for Harvard and Sacred Heart, and both teams grudgingly traded the lead until the scoreboard read 13-13.

Then, as it had earlier in the game, Harvard's defense proved the difference. Capitalizing off an astounding solo block by senior outside hitter Joe Herger, the Crimson pulled off a 15-13 win in the first game.

The ease with which Harvard blocked kill attempts wore on the nerves of certain Pioneer players. For instance, Sacred Heart senior setter Brian Cotte earned a rarely-used yellow card for excessive use of expletives at the outset of the second game.

If the first game was a showcase for Harvard's impressive and much-improved defense, then the second game was an exhibition of the Crimson's relentless offensive firepower.

In the second game alone, Herger, Stevenson and Denham each contributed four kills and co-captain Ed Pankau, who is second on the team in hitting percentage (.454), tacked on another three kills in three attempts.

Harvard's offensive strength proved too much for Sacred Heart. Two consecutive kills by Micomonaco thrust the Crimson's lead to 9, and the score to 12-4.

Additional kills by Denham and Pankau was all Harvard needed as it coasted to an easy win in the second game, 15-5.

For the third game, Harvard mixed up its elements of success from the two previous games and dominated Sacred Heart both offensively and defensively.

Herger, who leads the nation in digs per game, continued his solid defensive effort and rallied Harvard's scrambling floor defense. Micomonaco and Denham also continued their phenomenal blocking.

"JD [Denham] and JMics [Micomonaco] formed an impenetrable wall," Pankau said, "This was, by far, our best blocking match of the season."

Harvard's defense rapidly built a 5-1 lead in the third game. The Crimson offense, led by freshman setter Mike Bookman, then took over the spotlight.

Bookman, who had 17 assists in the third game, ended the night with 45 assists to go along with a perfect night of serving (20 for 20).

The Pioneers, though, put up a good fight and kept the third game relatively close down the stretch. However, Sacred Heart was simply outmatched as the final game wound down.

Harvard's combined offensive threats and defensive assets carried the Crimson handily in the final fifteen minutes of the match. Harvard won the third game 15-12 to complete a 3-0 sweep.

The win preserves Harvard's perfect league record and is the Crimson's fourth win in a row.

"Winning is a lot of fun," Harvard Coach Tom Wilson said, "And these guys are a joy to watch both in practice and in matches."

The Crimson continues its foray into American history as it turns its attention from disappointing pioneers to defeating patriots. Harvard will look to continue its winning streak next Wednesday, as it rematches perennial league contender Roger Williams.