CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard Men's Volleyball earned its first victory of the 2025 season on Friday night, defeating Manhattan University in four sets (25-23, 25-18, 22-25, 25-20) in its home opener at the Malkin Athletic Center.
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The Crimson showcased balanced offensive production, led by Co-Captian
Zach Berty's 12 kills. Junior
Owen Woolbert added 10 kills, while Junior
Quinn Bishop chipped in nine kills and served as a major spark from the service line, recording three aces. Harvard totaled eight aces as a team, applying consistent pressure on the Jaspers' defense throughout the match.
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Set one featured a tightly contested battle, with the two teams trading points and remaining deadlocked through much of the frame. Harvard stayed composed late, stringing together key points to secure the 25-23 opening-set win.
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The Crimson carried that momentum into set two, dominating from start to finish. Strong serving and efficient offense allowed Harvard to control the pace, cruising to a 25-18 victory and a 2-0 match lead.
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Manhattan responded in set three, capitalizing on extended rallies to edge out Harvard 25-22 and force a fourth set.
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Refusing to relinquish control on its home court, Harvard regrouped in the fourth set. Behind steady attacking and aggressive serving, the Crimson pulled away late to close out the match with a 25-20 win, sealing the four-set victory.
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Harvard Highlights
- Zach Berty led the team in kills, totaling 12 throughout four sets
- Owen Woolbert added ten kills and maintained a .438 hitting percentageÂ
- Quinn Bishop added nine kills and three acesÂ
With the win, Harvard secured both its first home victory and first win of the season, setting the tone for the remainder of the weekend.Â
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Up Next
Harvard will play Manhattan again on Saturday, January 17
th, at 3:00 PM, streaming on ESPN+.
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