CAMBRIDGE, Mass. –– Harvard men's volleyball team (2-3, 0-0 EIVA) faced a hard-fought loss against Lincoln Memorial University on Friday evening at the Malkin Athletic Center during the opening day of the Harvard Invitational. In an intense five-set match, the Crimson claimed two sets but ultimately fell short, with set scores of 21-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-23, and 6-15.
How it Happened
In the opening set, Harvard started strong with a 4-0 run, maintaining a three-point lead at 7-4. The Crimson pushed ahead to 15-12 before Lincoln Memorial responded with a critical six-point run, taking control at 20-24. Despite Harvard's efforts to rally, the Railsplitters closed out the set, 21-25.
The second set began with Lincoln Memorial surging to a 5-0 lead, but Harvard quickly answered with a three-point run to narrow the deficit to 3-5. The Railsplitters extended their lead to 11-5, yet the Crimson battled back to tie the set at 15-15. After a back-and-forth exchange, Lincoln Memorial's late three-point push sealed the set, 21-25.
Harvard found its rhythm in the third set, jumping ahead 6-3 and maintaining a three-point cushion. Lincoln Memorial rallied to tie the score at 7-7, but the Crimson regained momentum with leads of 18-14 and 21-16. Despite a late surge from the Railsplitters to even the set at 23-23, Harvard held firm and secured the win, 25-23.
The fourth set mirrored the intensity of the third, with both teams trading points early to tie at 6-6. Harvard edged ahead, building a 14-11 lead and later stretching it to 18-14. Lincoln Memorial came back to tie at 22-22, but Harvard delivered important plays to take the set, 25-23, and force a decisive fifth set.
In the final set, Lincoln Memorial opened with a dominant 6-1 run and extended their lead to 13-4. Despite Harvard's determination to stay in the match, the Railsplitters capitalized on their momentum and closed the set, 6-15, clinching the match.
Harvard Highlights
- Owen Woolbert posted a career-high of six kills with a hitting percentage of .357. Woolbert also recorded five digs and six blocks.
- Sawyer Nichols tallied a career-high of 13 kills, adding one service ace and one block.
- Miha Okorn notched a career-high of 10 kills, paired with two blocks and eight digs,
- Logan Shepherd delivered a performance with seven kills, two service aces, and 13 digs, playing a key role in the team's 49 total digs.
Next Up
Harvard will return to action for the final day of the Harvard Invitational tomorrow as it faces Purdue Fort Wayne at 7:00 p.m. ET inside the Malkin Athletic Center and on ESPN+.
