CAMBRIDGE, M.A. — After taking on two of the top teams in the EIVA to open its conference season, Harvard men’s volleyball had a reprieve from ranked foes this weekend, battling the University of Charleston. Not to be confused with the College of Charleston located in The Holy City in S.C., the more mountainous Charleston was overmatched from the start against the Crimson in a weekend that was almost heaven for Harvard.
“I feel like this was a combination of everything that we’ve experienced,” said sophomore libero Thomas Phung. “It just feels like this weekend we really executed.”
The Crimson (4-9, 2-4 EIVA) showed signs of growth last weekend against No. 16 Penn State, but was simply overpowered by the EIVA powerhouse. That growth made itself evident against the inferior Golden Eagles (9-8, 3-3).
Harvard 3, Charleston 1
Harvard established a strong service early. Junior middle Owen Woolbert tallied an early kill and followed it up with two service aces to put Charleston on its back foot. The Crimson pushed its powerful serve on the Golden Eagles throughout the weekend, keeping the conference foe out of system.
Junior outside Max Nissen led the charge for Charleston. Nissen’s size and athleticism presented Harvard with problems as he consistently rose above the Crimson’s potent block to bury kills.
Despite Nissen’s best efforts, Harvard proved too much for its foes at nearly every turn. The home team continued to get strong production from its middles, Woolbert and captain Brian Thomas. The pair both hit above 0.450 and combined for 22 kills and five points-worth of blocks.
The Crimson’s serve receive, which has struggled at times throughout the season, was on point in this game. Captain Zach Berty, Phung, and junior outside Quinn Bishop continuously gave junior setter Adrain Shevchuk clean passes to the middle of the net, allowing him to choose amongst his dearth of weapons.
Harvard controlled the first two sets, though the sets ended with different results. The Crimson weathered a late charge by the Golden Eagles to clinch the first set 25-23 after a kill by Berty.
The second set followed a similar pathway but fell Charleston’s way. Late errors by Harvard and a well-placed serve by Charleston sophomore middle Braxton Francis brought the set tally to 1-1.
The Golden Eagles rode their momentum from the second set upset to a hot start to set three. Solid, consistent play by the Crimson allowed it to keep pace in the set and ultimately surpass its opponent late in the set.
A kill by Woolbert broke a 24-24 tie, and a triple block by Berty, Thomas, and Shevchuk ended the set.
Harvard dominated the final set building a wall at the net to secure its first EIVA win of the season.
Harvard 3, Charleston 0
Looking for its first weekend sweep of the season, the Crimson returned to the court on Saturday focused and determined.
After Nissen’s strong opening game, Harvard’s block seemed intent on shutting him down, and it did. The junior’s hitting percentage dropped from 0.538 in the first matchup to -0.059 in the second affair.
The Crimson totaled 17 block assists and one solo block in the game. Charleston’s offense never settled in, and it was reflected on the scoreboard.
The hosts dominated the first set, keeping the Golden Eagles at arm’s length throughout the set after opening a quick four-point lead.
Set two was significantly more competitive. Both teams exchanged brief runs, with Harvard opening small leads and its opponent quickly catching up. Berty helped lead the charge for the Crimson, showcasing his versatility with kills, blocks, and clean passing.
With the score knotted at 21, it was the other elder statesman of Harvard who led the charge to victory. Thomas contributed two massive kills to help end the set at 25-22 and bring his team to the verge of a sweep.
Starring defeat in the face, Charleston once again packed up the tent. The final set proved to be the least competitive for the second time on the weekend as the Crimson raced to a 25-15 win.
Woolbert was awarded EIVA Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts. The junior recorded 11 blocks, 18 kills, and hit 0.528 on the weekend.
A big story for Harvard was improved serve receive on the weekend. Phung, who had a nearly perfect passing day in the second game, credited his teammates and an “aggressor” mindset for the team’s improved passing and serve receive.
“Quinn and Berty both really stepped up on service receive,” said the libero. He also expressed the importance of a strong serve receive to the team. “Serve receive has always been our identity.”
The Crimson will look to draw momentum and confidence from these victories moving forward. Halfway through the conference season, Harvard has already faced two of the best teams in the conference and finally seems to be finding an identity.
“We know what it takes to win, and we’ve now, because of this past weekend, we know our identity when we’re all cylinders are firing,” said Phung.
The Crimson start a two-week break from EIVA play next weekend. Still at home, Harvard will face American International College on Friday, March 6, at 7:00 p.m. before facing St Thomas Aquinas College on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
— Staff writer Reed M. Trimble can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X at ReedTrimble1.
