Three Seniors Will Anchor W. Volleyball

Different season, different faces, different results.

At least, that's what Harvard women's volleyball hopes is in store this year.

With only three seniors leading a deep roster full of young, enthusiastic talent, the Crimson (0-3, 0-0 Ivy) hopes that it will be able to win the Ivy League Championship on its own court.

"The Ivy title is always a team goal, and we're looking to be a contender again this year," co-captain Sarah Mattson said. "We're also really looking forward to hosting the Ivy League tournament this fall."

The Crimson, which began last year with a subpar 4-6 record, ended up battling Princeton for the Ivy championship before losing in five games. Harvard finished the year with an impressive record (20-13, 5-2 Ivy) and began this year with the hopes of fulfilling its championship dreams by combining new talent with experienced finesse.

Outside hitters Angela Lutich and Sarah Mattson and middle hitter Katherine Hart are the only returning seniors this season. But this influential trio has established itself as the Crimson's leaders, with Hart and Mattson sharing the captaincy.

"We only have three seniors this year, and the three of us definitely work together to make sure everyone's on the same page," Mattson said.

Hart, Lutich and junior outside hitter Erin Denniston lead a dynamic Harvard offense this season. Hart, Harvard's first Ivy League Rookie of the Year during the 1997-98 season, earned All-Ivy honors last year after rebounding from an injury-plagued sophomore season in which she saw little action. Hart reestablished herself as one of the league's most potent threats last year, averaging 2.78 kills per game and ending the year with a .270 hitting average.

By catalyzing both the Crimson's offense and defense last season, Lutich became one of the league's most versatile players, averaging 2.95 kills and 3.79 digs per game.

Denniston also enjoyed a standout season last year. She led the team with 3.74 kills per game, which was good enough to place her fourth in the league. Denniston's height (6') and strength make her a formidable force at the net.

To balance their attack games, Hart and Denniston hope to once again show the defensive prowess they have displayed in the past. Last season, Hart led the team with .87 blocks per game, and Denniston averaged .54 blocks per game.

Led by Mindy Jellin, last year's Co-Ivy League Rookie of the Year, the sophomores will also dramatically impact the Crimson's performance this season. After the graduation of longtime setter Kate Nash '99, the Crimson sought to find someone who could suitably replace Nash's playmaking abilities, and Jellin proved to be a comfortable fit at quarterback.

Last season, Jellin wowed the league with eye-popping statistics, averaging 11.58 assists, 3.25 digs and .31 aces per game. At the team's first tournament last weekend, Jellin was the only Crimson player to earn a berth on the All-Tournament team.

This season's rookies, comprised of seven freshmen and one sophomore transfer student, have proven early on that they have the talent and energy needed to balance the veterans' skill and experience.

Freshmen middle blocker Amy Asare, middle hitter Mariah Posipil, outside hitter Nathalie Miller, outside hitter Amy Dildine, middle hitter Mary Beth Murphy, outside hitter Allison Bendush and middle hitter Lauren Gallagher and sophomore Nikki Meunier make up the corps of Harvard rookies hungry to make their mark on the Crimson.

"We have a lot of new faces, and we've worked hard to get used to playing with one another," Mattson said. "I think it's paid off, because our chemistry is great right now."

The Crimson's newest members have already taken an integral part in the team's success. Posipil started all three of the team's first three matches at the New England Classic last weekend and registered 13 kills against Southwest Missouri State. Miller, Dildine, Bendush, Meunier and Murphy also saw playing time last weekend.

"The freshmen have done a fantastic job so far," Mattson said. "They all came to preseason in great shape and have worked hard on the court. They have great chemistry as a class and as part of the team."

One player the Crimson will be without is senior Julie Yick, a setter during her three-year career. Yick is not on the team's roster this year.

In spite of the hard work that the team had invested into its preseason workouts, the Crimson lost its first three matches of the year at the New England Classic last weekend.

After battling in a four-game defeat to Southwest Missouri State Friday, the Crimson lost to Purdue in three straight games and Lamar in five tough games Saturday afternoon at the Malkin Athletic Center. The Crimson, which had just completed a week of grueling two-a-day practices, found itself too exhausted to challenge its opponents for the duration of its matches.

"Overall we did a lot of great things and the tournament was a good first step for us," Mattson said. "This week in practice we can focus on the things we could have done better last weekend."

The Crimson is now ready to continue its quest to win the Ivy League. What makes the league championship even more alluring this season is the added opportunity to be etched into volleyball history.

This is the last year that all eight Ivy schools will be eligible to compete in a double-elimination tournament in which their seeding will be determined by their conference records, and the Crimson hopes that it will be the last champion of a historic era in Ivy League volleyball.

"It's really exciting to have such a special tournament happen at Harvard," Mattson said. "That will definitely be extra motivation for us."

In addition to its talent, size and strength, the Crimson's desire to make history may be the final ingredient that it needs to win a championship. After coming close to winning the league last year, Harvard hopes that this year it has concocted the correct recipe for success.