W. Spikers Almost Capture Ivy Title

"Close only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes," was the lesson the women's volleyball team learned in 1995.

In the Ivy League Tournament, the Crimson came close--real close--to first place, defeating every league team they had lost to in the regular season. But Princeton won the final match, sending Harvard home.

After a fourth place finish in the Ivy League last year, the Crimson leaped onto the court this year with a fresh, youthful team. Harvard posted a 4-3 Ivy record (second place) and an impressive 21-10 overall.

Bellying the bobcat fight of a finish at the end of the season, the team started the season on their heels. Its first Ivy games were losses to Penn, 1-3, and to Princeton 0-3. They then began playing on their toes, beating Columbia, 3-0, and then Cornell, a dominant Ivy contender, in a close 3-2 match. Their league winning streak continued with victories against Dartmouth 3-1, and Brown 3-0.

All season Harvard players were able to step up on their assigned position and take control against their opponents. Freshman Kate Nash stole the scene this year with her outstanding setting abilities. She had 1,033 assists and 296 digs, providing the team with a foundation upon which it could excel.

Defensively, senior captain Jen Jose led the team with 125 blocks, and sophomore Lolita Lopez led the team with 299 digs. On offense, sophomore powerhouse Sara Logan led the Ivy League with a .393 hitting percentage and 356 kills. Sophomore Elissa Hart followed behind with 292 kills.

The Crimson's skills coalesced at the end of the season just in time to assert its power in the Ivy League Tournament.

After losing a very close game to Penn in the first match, Harvard turned its disappointment into aggression, dominating its next three opponents in shut out matches against Brown 3-0, Yale 3-0 and Cornell 3-0.

Despite losing badly to the defending Ivy champs during the regular season, Harvard gained enough momentum after its victories to run over Princeton, 3-1.

However, since the Crimson dropped the first match to Penn, Princeton could only be eliminated by losing twice. The clock struck midnight, and Harvard lost the finals 2-0, finishing in second place.

After just three years of coaching at Harvard, Jen Bates has created a top Ivy League competitor and more than doubled its victories from 1993.

With a young aggressive team, active recruiting and assertive court play, there is no question that the Crimson has the potential to clinch an Ivy title next year.

Harvard Sports Stats 1995-96

Women's Volleyball

Record: 21-10, 4-3 Ivy

Ivy Tourney: Second

Head Coach: Jennifer Bates

Captain: Jennifer Jose '96

Other Key Players: Sarah Logan '98, Elissa Hart '98, Kate Nash '99, Lolita Lopez '98