CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Harvard women's volleyball team (3-4) defeated Boston College (3-6) in a five-set showdown at the Malkin Athletic Center Thursday night. The Crimson dominated, setting 32 season bests and 18 career highs. In addition, Harvard posted a .352 overall hitting percentage, the highest mark since the team hit .353 against Penn in 2014.

Match Highlights

• Erin McCarthy shattered her career high in assists, posting 58 against the Eagles.
• Mindie Mabry and Grace Roberts Burbank led the Crimson attack with 16 kills apiece.
• Maclaine Fields racked up a team high 19.5 points on 15 kills and nine blocks.
• Harvard recorded a sideout percentage of 50 or above through all five sets.
• The score was tied 20 times and the lead changed 10 times through the five-set match.

Set One

• The teams were no more than a few points away from each other until Harvard made a 5-0 run to take a 15-7 lead.
• The Eagles tried to make up the deficit but the Crimson attack posted another 5-0 run putting the score at 23-15 Harvard.
• Back-to-back kills from Mindie Mabry and Erin McCarthy ended set one in favor of the Crimson 25-16.

Set Two

• The score was tied three times en route to a 6-6 lock early in the second.
• Christina Cornelius and Grace Roberts Burbank put together a string of points to put Harvard up 10-6.
• Harvard continued to wield its strength, extending its lead to 20-12 after a 10-3 scoring bout.
• McCarthy's second ace of the match put the Crimson up 2-0 with a 25-17 set two victory.

Set Three

• The Eagles were ready to fight in set three, quickly gaining a seven-point lead and holding steady.
• At 17-10, it looked as if Boston College would send the match to the fourth set but an incredible rally by Harvard put the Crimson within three at 23-20.
• With the Eagles going for set point at 24-20, Grace Roberts Burbank and Minde Mabry tag teamed to tie the score at 24.
• The hosts inevitably ran out of steam and Boston College took the extra point set 26-24.

Set Four

• Despite the energy used for the incredible comeback in set three, Harvard kept pace with BC in set four, allowing just a six-point lead at 21-15.
• The Eagles were unable to fend off the Crimson's pressure, allowing Harvard to remain within two points before forcing set five.

Set Five

• With the match on the line, both teams were firing on all cylinders heading into the fifth set.
• The Crimson began to pull away at 10-6 but BC threatened the hosts with a 3-1 run to make it 11-9.
• Unable to maintain control, BC's errors paved the way for a 15-10 Harvard win.

What's Next?
The Crimson will make a short trip across the river tomorrow, Sept. 15, to take on the Northeastern Huskies at the Cabot Center. First serve is set for 7 p.m.