Young Talent Helps Crimson to Success

Rookie of the Year in 2008, All-Ivy League in 2010, with career-highs of 16 digs in a single game and 19 kills. Boasting such an impressive resume, Anne Carroll Ingersoll—or “A.C.”—was poised to be a threat in her senior year of Ivy League play.

But as is the paradox of sports from which derives both enjoyment and tragedy: nothing ever goes as planned.

With a season-ending injury, the former co-captain opted for a semester off for surgery and recovery, leaving a hole on the court that her team had to fill.

But rather than pull out of the race, the Crimson has reorganized, as evidenced by its early 5-2 record. Despite the heavy loss and a young team—with nine underclassmen and only two seniors—Harvard has begun its season on a roll.

After facing an early slate of tough opponents, Harvard players, both rookie and returning, have demonstrated perseverance—with two wins determined in the decisive fifth set—and talent in their initial outings.

The team’s record of 4-1 in the first five matches represents the best start since 2001 for Harvard women’s volleyball.

“We have had to evolve into a more balanced team” Harvard coach Jennifer Weiss said. “Last year we had one go-to player … This year we have [become] a team of go-to players”.

Weiss attributes the team’s success to a combination of young drive and experienced leadership, despite of the loss of Ingersoll.

“We have competitive underclassmen … and great leaders in the upperclassmen,” she added. “It’s a winning combination”.

As Weiss alludes, the underclassmen have delivered in a spectacular way for the Crimson.

“Everyone is playing so well,” co-captain Christine Wu added. “Everyone is contributing.”

In particular, the freshmen and sophomores, many of whom are seeing major court action for the first time in their careers, have cemented their presence in the game.

Sophomore middle blocker Theresa Skelly has been a consistent star in the middle for the Harvard.

“She has had a terrific early season and has put up some really big numbers for us,” Wu said.

“Theresa has had some high numbers,” Weiss echoed. “She’s a powerful force at the net.”

Skelly currently leads the Ivy-League in kills with 60, recording 13 against Georgia State and 11 against Holy Cross.

Close behind is freshman Kristin Casey, who has 58 kills on the season and six service aces.

“[Kristen] has started in all the games for us and has performed very well,” Weiss said. “She is a wonderful addition [to the team].”

More offensive threats for the Crimson are Tara Maclean—who made her debut for Harvard in the match against University of New Hampshire, logging a team-high 19 kills—and Erin Cooney, who, since the 2010 frame, has come off the bench for the Crimson and posted 54 kills and 18 blocks.

Big hitters are not all Harvard has to offer this season, with much of its young winning power coming from the defense.

Sophomore Natalie Doyle, who had a career-high 20 digs in the match against the Wildcats, has helped Wu protect the ball with a record of 87 digs so far.

Another sophomore, Kelsey Beck, has also helped bolster the Crimson line as a defensive specialist.

“[Beck] been really effective for us,” Weiss said, “and [Doyle] has been playing well for us on defense.”

The freshmen and sophomores have certainly shown that what they may lack in collegiate experience, they make up in passion.

“We have [added] five really competitive freshmen to the team who work extremely hard in practice and in games,” Wu praised.

Only time will tell if the Crimson’s early success will sustain the test of the 2011 season, but a good indication will come in this weekend’s Harvard Invitational, where the squad faces off against Holy Cross—which it defeated 3-0 on Sept. 9—Navy, and Northeastern in its first home tournament of the year.