UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – Harvard men's volleyball (12-13, 3-7 EIVA) battled tightly with top-seeded Penn State (22-6, 10-0 EIVA) this evening in the EIVA semifinals.  The Crimson showed its fight by avoiding six total match points in the contest but eventually fell, 3-1, to the Nittany Lions. 

How it Happened

The Crimson brought its energy from last night's contest into the early points of the match, pulling out to a 7-2 lead, forcing a Penn State timeout.  The Crimson continued its momentum throughout the middle portion of the set, using a balanced attack to outplay the Nittany Lions.  Harvard held several seven points lead throughout the opening set.  While Penn State was able to find more offense in the late points, the Crimson held its lead for a majority of the set.  Although, a 5-0 scoring run allowed the Nittany Lions to tie things up at 24-24 and eventually steal the set, 28-26.   

The opening moments of the second set were a back-and-forth affair as the two squads tied eight times through the first 16 points.  A 4-0 Nittany Lions scoring run created the first significant distance of the set for Penn State.  Despite pressure from the Crimson throughout the remainder of the set, the foe was able to build on its lead and grow its overall match advantage to 2-0 following a 25-16 second set decision. 

Penn State kept its momentum going early in the third, pulling out to a 4-1 advantage.  Despite the early deficit, the Crimson continued to pressure to keep its postseason life alive, pulling within one midway through.  A strong 7-2 Harvard run allowed the Crimson to grab a 16-14 lead and force a Penn State timeout.  Following the break, Harvard was able to hold off many Nittany Lions attacks to maintain its advantage and be the first to surpass 20 points.  The Crimson battled to the very end, surviving three match points to eventually take the set, 28-26. 

Harvard carried its strength into the fourth, grabbing a 6-3 lead to open the set.  Harvard held multiple advantages throughout the middle of the set but a 4-0 Nittany Lions run earned them a 16-13 lead.  A late 4-0 run out of a Crimson timeout pulled the squad back within one late in the contest but the Nittany Lions were able to hold on and close out the match with a 26-24.  Harvard showed its fight once again, fending off three more match points in the final set. 

Harvard Highlights

• Owen Fanning (14), Logan Shepherd (10), and Zach Berty (10) each recorded double digit kills in the contest. 
• Along with his 10 kills, Shepherd led the team with nine digs while also adding an ace.
• Fanning collected his 14 kills with a .423 hitting percentage.  On the defensive end the junior recorded four total blocks to co-lead the team, alongside Ethan McCrary, in the category. 
• James Bardin had an all-around performance against the Nittany Lions by contributing seven kills, 36 assists, five digs, and two total blocks. 
• As a team the Crimson recorded 50 total kills on the night while registering a .315 hitting percentage.