Harvard Men's Volleyball Splits Conference Break at Home

After spending its last three weeks fighting fierce battles against EIVA foes, the Harvard men’s volleyball team got a break from conference play at the perfect time. The Crimson (5-10, 2-4 EIVA) hobbled into the weekend battered and bruised, with many athletes questionable to compete. Despite the challenges, a sweep over American International College (1-10) on Friday and an intense, five-set loss to St. Thomas Aquinas College (6-10) on Saturday marked a weekend of growth.

Harvard 3, AIC 0

Building off its first sweep of the season in the previous weekend, Harvard logged its second consecutive sweep on Friday against AIC. The home team dominated every aspect of the match and set the tone early, blasting out to a quick five-point lead in the first set.

The Crimson excelled despite being down two key contributors: co-captain Brian Thomas and junior setter Adrian Shevchuk. Freshman middle Oliver Doty saw increased responsibilities due to Thomas’ absence and did well manning the net.

Freshman setter Kai Gan, who split time with Shevchuk to start the season, returned to the starting lineup. Gan commanded an efficient game, leading the team to a 0.259 hitting percentage.

Leading the offensive charge, as per usual, was junior middle, Owen Woolbert. Woolbert, the reigning EIVA Defensive Player of the Week, showcased the versatility of his game with 10 kills and eight blocks, both team highs.

The Yellow Jackets never stood a chance in any of the three brief sets. Late charges in the second and third sets helped AIC save face and break 20 in both sets, but Crimson fans were never forced to fear for their team in the stands.

Harvard 2, St. Thomas Aquinas 3

Saturday brought the full return of Thomas and the limited return of Shevchuk. Thomas announced his return with authority, contributing four kills and eight blocks. Shevchuk, on the other hand, saw a more muted return, playing one full set before returning only to service duties in the fifth set.

The outside tandem of co-captain Zach Berty and Bishop saw its strongest showing of the season. Bishop registered a season high in hitting percentage (0.385) and aces (3) in the contest. Berty tallied season highs in kills (15), assists (3), and points (17).

Coming off three of its best performances all season, the Crimson came out flat in the first two sets on Saturday. Early attack errors dug Harvard a hole to start the set, one that it struggled to escape. Ironically, sloppy play by the Spartans allowed the Crimson to tie the set at 15, but the home team returned the favor, and St. Thomas Aquinas regained the lead and took the set via errors.

Ultimately, Harvard struggled to slow down an efficient Spartan offense, a theme for the game. The Crimson also faltered against its opponent’s phalanx for the first two sets, failing to crack a 0.130 hitting percentage.

The second set was broken open by a 9-1 run by the visitors midway through the set. St. Thomas Aquinas never looked back, racing to a 25-16 set victory.

With its back against the wall, Harvard found a new level of grit and determination over the course of the third and fourth sets.

The Crimson trailed by as many as four in the third set before its two outsides powered a comeback and a narrow 25-23 set victory. Back-to-back aces by Bishop and five kills by Berty spurred the comeback, and Berty’s final kill claimed the set.

The newfound sense of confidence carried over to the fourth set, where Harvard dominated 25-18. Clean play defined the set as the Crimson only committed two errors and hit 0.364. Sophomore opposite Sawyer Nichols had a particularly strong set, tallying four kills and no errors.

In the abbreviated final set, the Spartans claimed the all-important early lead. The road team nabbed this advantageoff the back of its strong service game. St. Thomas Aquinas dominated from the service line all game, compiling 12 aces. Sophomore outside Santiago Valença led the way for the Spartans with four aces, followed closely by freshman opposite Jakob Schwarz with three.

St. Thomas Aquinas’ strong service also contributed to stifling Harvard’s offense in the final set, as the Crimson struggled in passing and serve receive.

Ultimately, the visitors claimed the set and the match with a 15-11 set win.

— Staff writer Reed M. Trimble can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X at ReedTrimble1.