CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Harvard women's volleyball pushed the current top of the league Yale Bulldogs this evening inside the Malkin Athletic Center before falling in four sets.  After falling in the opening set, Harvard evened the match with a strong second set.  The Crimson then narrowly fell in the third set to pressure the only remaining undefeated Ivy foe before dropping the final frame.

How it Happened

The Crimson brought energy early, registering a quick two point advantage.  Yale was able to shift the tide midway through the set, using a five-point run to garner its first multi-point advantage over Harvard.  The Bulldogs began to hit their stride, continuing to hold off the Crimson despite strong efforts from the home team.  Ultimately, the foe was able to control the remainder of the frame, solidifying a 1-0 lead following a 25-13 decision.  

Going right back to work, Harvard fed off its home crowd to collect an early 6-3 lead over the Bulldogs and swing the momentum back in its direction.  The Crimson continued to control the set, being the first team to reach double digits and continuously halting any major Yale runs.  The majority of the set was a back and forth affair as either squad traded a series of runs.  After the Bulldogs were able to take their second lead at 17-16, Harvard responded with a strong 4-0 run, becoming the first to eclipse 20 points.  Despite a battle, the Crimson would never again relinquish its lead, evening the match with a 25-23 victory in the second.  

Harvard carried its play straight into the third set, rattling off the first three points of the frame.  The Bulldogs were able to use their own 3-0 run to sneak back into the set.  After the two teams traded points throughout the middle of the set, Yale used a 3-0 run to take a lead at 14-12 that they would never again let up.  Harvard continued to battle, including riding a four point swing to pull within one late in the set.  The Bulldogs were eventually able to half the Crimson growing momentum and steal the third set, 25-22.  

The Bulldogs took control of the fourth set early on, collecting an 9-2 advantage.  The Crimson continued to show its fight throughout the final points of the match but Yale's early lead proved to be enough cushion to close out the contest.  A 25-13 fourth set results solidified the 3-1 victory for the opposing Bulldogs.  

Harvard Highlights

• Brynne Faltinsky and Bennett Trubey led the way offensive as each tallied 10 kills on the night.  Trubey's kills came as she recorded a .450 hitting percentage.  Ryleigh Patterson also added seven kills while hitting over .500 with a .545 hitting percentage.  
• Patterson and Trubey each added 2.5 total blocks on the defensive end.  
• Lindsey Zhang led the squad with 12 digs while Faltinsky and Rocky Aguirre each contributed seven.  
• Aguirre had an all-around performance adding a team-high 33 assists and four kills while hitting .375 to go alongside her seven digs.  

Next Up

The Crimson will look to return to the win column tomorrow as it concludes the first half of the Ivy League season against the Brown Bears.  First serve is set for 5:00 p.m. ET inside the Malkin Athletic Center and on ESPN+.