If only teams could play just Ivy opponents.

For the Harvard women's volleyball team (8-9, 4-1 Ivy), non-league games have become a nemesis as the team fell in three sets (15-10, 15-10, 15-11) to Providence last night at the Malkin Athletic Center.

"We've had a lot of good experiences [with the non-league games]," sophomore Kate Nash said. "But I think that we are all ready to get a few more 'w's."

Currently tied with Dartmouth for first place in Ivy League, Harvard will have to wait till the first week in November until it meets any Ivy opponent.

Until then, the Crimson was hoping to catch fire last night and break out of a two-game losing streak. After being ahead, 2-0, to both Boston College and the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard crumbled and lost both, 3-2, and was more than ready for a victory last night.

Providence was a new challenge and a perfect opportunity for Harvard to break out of the non-league jinx.

Unfortunately for the Crimson, it was not meant to be. In a well-played match, Harvard was unable to stymie Providence's attack and could not even manage a set.

"We played well," said Harvard coach Jennifer Bates. "It's frustrating when we are winning [10-3 in the third set] and we don't close the game. We have done that a few times, but we are learning."

The big Crimson killer of the night was junior Heidi Brady, who hit 526 efficiency with 12 kills and only two errors. Getting the serve back was also made difficult by Providence's hard hitting freshman Laura Ramig, who registered eight aces.

One of the key differences in both the Providence game as well as the other non-league games has been the size difference.

"It's frustrating when we don't close, but we know that," Bates said. "We are playing this competition, these teams which are physically bigger and stronger, but we're hanging right in with them and we just need to believe that we can win it."

Despite the adversity, Harvard played valiantly and came close in each set, but could not find the winning ingredient.

Nonetheless, Harvard had its moments.

After leading the Crimson attack in the last three matches with 54 kills, junior Elissa Hart continued her dominance last night as she hit .500 with 23 kills.

Sophomore Melissa Forcum also came up big with 13 kills and three service aces, while Nash registered four kills and hit .571.

Sophomore Anne Schafer dominated the defensive play with a game-high 14 digs. Both Nash and Forcum got into the act with six digs apiece.

With each non-league loss piling up, the Crimson is getting more and more frustrated. The one thing which is keeping the drive alive, however, is its success in its own league--then again, that it what is most important anyway.

"We use this to strengthen our team for the Ivies and our mental game," Bates said. "We play Rutgers next, and we beat them in five last year. This is a new year, but who knows? We could turn it around and beat them."

The next four games for Harvard will bring it on the road to New York and New Jersey.

First up will be the tough Rutgers squad. Hopefully for Harvard, it will be able to find that winning non-league element which will propel it into the next echelon. Providence  3 Harvard  0