MIT posted a 14-6 lead in the opener, but the Crimson rallied for six consecutive points before the visitors tallied the final point.
The Engineers were credited with four aces in the game, but only because Harvard's players--anticipating long serves--intentionally let them drop.
Behind Co-Captain Adam Keller's strong serving, as well as two good plays by Scott Neilson, the Crimson raced to a 6-0 advantage in the second game--only to see the Engineers rally to take a commanding 13-7 lead.
Exceptional
But the Crimson retaliated.
An ace by Keller and a good serve by Ian Dyer closed the gap, and Chris Culbertson's block into the corner eventually tied the game at 14-14.
Keller's slam, which wasn't returned by the visitors, brought the Crimson within a point of winning the game, but an illegal hit and two poor Crimson returns gave the Engineers a 17-15 win.
MIT's 2-0 lead in games silenced the crowd of 40 spectators for the first several points of the third game, but Harvard avoided a straight-sets sweep.