W. Volleyball Loses Control in Ivy Race

Heading into this weekend’s matches against perennial Ivy powers Princeton and Penn, the first-place Harvard women’s volleyball team was counting on some homecourt magic in its final homestand to keep its Cinderella Ivy run alive.

Unfortunately for the upstart Crimson squad, the clock struck midnight to the tune of two heartbreaking losses, leaving Harvard (13-10, 9-3 Ivy) with fading hopes of its first Ivy title since 1997.

On Friday night, the Crimson struggled to achieve offensive consistency and dropped a crucial five-game match to Princeton, a team Harvard had swept on the road merely two weeks ago. The next night, hoping to remain in first place with a win, the Crimson was unable to shake the Quakers, spotting them early leads and playing sloppy at times en route to a three-game sweep.

“This weekend was obviously a huge disappointment to us, but we have not given up hope on the championship,” said junior middle hitter Mariah Pospisil. “We are just focusing on taking care of our business this weekend versus Cornell and Columbia.”

The losses were particularly bittersweet given the strong contingent of Harvard fans present at the Malkin Athletic Center this weekend. Capacity crowds turned out with boisterous cheers and creative signs—including “Pernilla is a Killa,” “You Just Got Schooled by Gould” and “Come on Ash, Give it a Smash”—to root Harvard on to its first ever double-digit win total in Ivy play.

“Obviously, the huge turnout meant a great deal to me,” said senior setter and team captain Mindy Jellin. “The women’s volleyball team has come a long way since I have been here and the number of people there this weekend shows that.”

Harvard’s 9-3 record leaves it in second place behind Penn (10-1) and only a half-game up on Princeton (8-3) with two games left on the schedule. To gain a share of the League title, the Crimson would need to win its remaining games—road matches at Cornell and Columbia—and Penn would have to lose two of its final three contests, including a difficult challenge versus travel partner Princeton.

Despite this tough scenario, Harvard coach Jen Weiss reports that her team will remain optimistic until the end.

“We still have hopes [for an Ivy title],” Weiss said. “It is still possible.”

Penn 3, Harvard 0

Behind consistently tough jump serving and an offense that featured three players in double-digits for kills, the Quakers rolled to a 3-0 sweep (15-30, 14-30, 21-30), strapping into the driver’s seat in the race for the Ivy title.

Led by 13 kills from junior outside hitter Eliza Kwak-Hefferan and 18 digs by freshman outside hitter Cara Thomason, Penn was able to bury Harvard with its precision pass offense and resilient play at the net.

The Quakers raced out to quick 5-0 and 4-0 leads in the first and second game, respectively, and never looked back as they collectively hit for a gaudy .313 kill percentage.

The Crimson, on the other hand, struggled to establish its offense due to poor serve-receiving and passing. As a team, Harvard swung for a paltry –.015 kill percentage and sophomore middle hitter Kaego Ogbechie—normally the team’s leading offensive threat—had an uncharacteristically quiet night, notching just nine kills in three games while hitting an unusually low –.033.

“Our offense starts with the pass, so if we cannot pass well part of our system breaks down,” Ogbechie said.

Despite rallying to play Penn tight in the third game, the Crimson was unable to capitalize on the home crowd energy to force a fourth game, falling 30-22 in the final frame.

Harvard’s loss to Penn also marked the final home game for Jellin, the team’s captain and lone senior.

“Her contributions have been wonderful all four years here,” Weiss said. “Not only has she been such a good leader on the court for us, but she’s also been a great presence off the court as well.”

Jellin is currently second on the Harvard career assists list behind Harvard assistant coach Kate Nash ’99 and has a chance to overtake her next weekend on the road against Cornell and Columbia.

Princeton 3, Harvard 2

After demolishing the Tigers’ defense with 15 team kills and a .375 team kill percentage in a 30-16 victory in the first game, Harvard seemed poised for another Princeton sweep.

However, improved ball control and outstanding net play from senior middle blocker Abby Studer allowed the Tigers to claw back into the match, eventually winning 3-2 (30-16, 21-30, 31-29, 23-30, 11-15).

“The last time we played Princeton they could not pass the ball, which made it difficult for them to run the middle,” Jellin said. “This time their passing was on, which made it much harder for our blockers to defend.”

Though Ogbechie led all players with 27 kills and six blocks, it was Studer’s play opposite her that seemingly made the difference for Princeton.

“The goal coming in was to make Abby move,” Weiss said. “She’s a big girl and knows how to play the game.”

The 6’2 Studer collected 21 kills opposite Ogbechie and amassed an impressive .432 kill percentage. Studer’s presence in the middle was complimented by an outside attack that featured freshman outside hitter Lauren Grumet (23 kills, .348) and junior outside hitter Kellie Cramm (18 kills, .200).

Despite losing a 2-1 lead and falling in the fifth game, the Crimson played well and had a solid floor defense that witnessed five players finish the match with double-digit dig totals.

With the win, Princeton moved within striking distance of Harvard for second place in the League and evened up the season series at a match apiece.

—Staff writer Daniel E. Fernandez can be reached at dfernand@fas.harvard.edu