"We played a bit flat, but not particularly badly," Hart said. "They came out fired up and played the best game of their season. They made no mistakes, and we didn't get any breaks from them."

For the Quakers, sophomore Stephanie Horan contributed 24 kills and 19 digs, and freshman Michelle Kliszewski chalked up eight kills and 19 digs.

Lutich led the Crimson Saturday with 15 kills and 23 digs, and Hart also recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs. Freshman outside hitter Erin Denniston added 15 kills and 18 digs, and Jellison tacked on 15 kills and 10 digs.

In spite of stellar individual performances by Crimson players, the team was unable to stop a stubborn Penn offense. After dominating the first game 15-7, Harvard lost the next three games, 9-15, 10-15 and 9-15.

"It was really a mental breakdown, a lack of focus," Hart said. "They had a lot of runs of four or five points in a row. We had some communication errors, and that just enabled them to go on runs."

The Crimson was unable to prevent the Quakers from making explosive offensive surges. With Harvard and Penn tied at one game each, the Quakers jumped out to a quick 8-1 lead in the third game and never relinquished the lead.

"In the second, third, and fourth games, we dug ourselves into holes to start off the games," Hart said. "It's hard to battle back and win when you've dug such a deep hole for yourself."

The Crimson hosts Quinnipiac Wednesday night at the Malkin Athletic Center and will face Dartmouth Saturday afternoon as it continues to roll through its Ivy League schedule.