CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard women's volleyball will face its first true road test of 2026 with a trip to the UNCW Hampton Inn University Invitational on Sept. 11 and 12.
The Crimson take on UNC Asheville (7-1) and Norfolk State (2-3) at 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively, on Friday before squaring off with host UNC Wilmington (3-4) at approximately 1 p.m. on Saturday.
What to Know
- Harvard secured its third 3-0 start in the last four seasons with a three-set sweep of Fairfield, a four-set win over Holy Cross, and a five-set win at crosstown foe Northeastern this past weekend.
- Sophomore Sofia Rossi led all attackers with 38 kills in addition to 30 digs and three blocks. Rossi's six service aces against Fairfield were the most by a Harvard player in a single match since 2023.
- Senior Ryleigh Patterson finished the weekend with 20 total blocks, including three solo stuffs, and recorded 12 of those blocks in the win over Northeastern. Patterson also hit .563 in the Holy Cross match, logging 10 kills on 16 attacks with just one error.
- Patterson currently ranks first in the Ivy League and 12th in the country with 1.67 blocks per set. Rossi is first in the conference and eighth nationally with her 0.83 aces per set, and her 10 total aces sit her first in the Ivy League.
- The Crimson's 2.67 blocks per set come in at third in the conference and 37th overall.
- Freshmen Masina Ogbechie and Kayla Nwabueze posted dominant debut weekends, with Ogbechie totaling 23 kills and Nwabueze adding 19.
- Seven different Crimson served aces on the weekend, including freshman Jordan Shelor who served seven across three matches.
- Harvard has only played UNC Asheville once, winning 3-0 in 2014. This weekend will be the first time Harvard faces off against Norfolk State or UNC Wilmington.
Next Up
The Crimson take a quick trip to North Andover, Mass., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, to play Merrimack at 7 p.m.
