SEASON RECAP: Youth Shines, But Harvard Misses Playoffs

Sometimes the best you can do is break even.

Wrapping up conference play with a 5-5 EIVA record and an 11-6 record overall, the Harvard men’s volleyball team concluded its season much like the last—falling just shy of advancing to postseason play.

Entering the 2007 season after missing its shot at the playoffs in 2006, the Crimson was eager to regain its former glory and to improve upon last season’s lackluster performance.

Off to a rocky start, Harvard began the season with a losing record after falling short in its first two contests against Springfield and NJIT.

“The last two years, we started out kind of slow, and we came in and played our two toughest teams first—Springfield and NJIT,” sophomore Brady Weissbourd said. “It was too bad because we didn’t have much time for experience, partially because of the way our schedule is oriented. Everyone was a little rusty against Springfield.”

But a sweep against nonconference opponent Endicott put the Crimson back on track, and Harvard continued its season with a four-match winning streak, including a 3-2 comeback victory against NYU in which the Crimson overcame an 11-5 deficit in the final game.

Its second loss to Springfield put Harvard in a tough spot for accomplishing its goal of moving forward to the playoffs, and although a victory against New Haven boosted the Crimson’s chances, the matches ahead appeared to be must-wins.

Struggling to regain its edge in the playoff race, the team hit the road hoping for success against NYU and eventual Hay Division champion NJIT. But its powerful opponents swept Harvard under the rug, knocking the Crimson out of contention for postseason competition.

“NYU was kind of demoralizing because we couldn’t do anything right that game, and it was a huge game for us. And again with NJIT, we couldn’t put anything together,” captain Dave Fitz said. “They were very tough losses to handle, and after those two games we were kind of out of it for the EIVA playoffs. But none of us quit on the season, and we went forward to try to win as much as we could.”

Although the team nabbed wins against bottom-feeders Sacred Heart and New Haven in its final two league matches, again overpowering both rivals the second time around, it was not enough to continue on to the postseason.

With victories against nonconference opponents Vassar and Ramapo, Harvard managed to finish with a winning record overall, but it still failed to meet its goals for the season.

“Ultimately, it was disappointing that we didn’t move up [in the standings] and make the playoffs,” Fitz said. “But I enjoyed playing with everyone on the team. I’m happy that we had a winning season and that we beat NYU coming back at home.”

Despite the early end to its season, the Crimson can still boast of individual successes. Weissbourd was named the EIVA Player of the Week mid-season after an all-star performance against New Haven, in which he slammed down 14 hits and four aces. Weissbourd and senior middle hitter Andy Nelson controlled the center of the court throughout the season.

“There wasn’t a team that we faced in the EIVA that could handle them,” Fitz said. “We weren’t as all-around solid as the other teams like NJIT, but when it came to the middle, no one could beat us.”

Looking ahead to next season, Harvard will rely on its returning players, particularly Weissbourd and up-and-coming freshman Gil Weintraub, who is expected to take over setting for Fitz, to bring the Crimson to the next level.

“We have the talent,” Fitz said. “I really see us going forward and gelling as a team.”

—Staff writer Courtney D. Skinner can be reached at cskinner@fas.harvard.edu.