Then, as it had earlier in the game, Harvard's defense proved the difference. Capitalizing off an astounding solo block by senior outside hitter Joe Herger, the Crimson pulled off a 15-13 win in the first game.
The ease with which Harvard blocked kill attempts wore on the nerves of certain Pioneer players. For instance, Sacred Heart senior setter Brian Cotte earned a rarely-used yellow card for excessive use of expletives at the outset of the second game.
If the first game was a showcase for Harvard's impressive and much-improved defense, then the second game was an exhibition of the Crimson's relentless offensive firepower.
In the second game alone, Herger, Stevenson and Denham each contributed four kills and co-captain Ed Pankau, who is second on the team in hitting percentage (.454), tacked on another three kills in three attempts.
Harvard's offensive strength proved too much for Sacred Heart. Two consecutive kills by Micomonaco thrust the Crimson's lead to 9, and the score to 12-4.
Additional kills by Denham and Pankau was all Harvard needed as it coasted to an easy win in the second game, 15-5.
For the third game, Harvard mixed up its elements of success from the two previous games and dominated Sacred Heart both offensively and defensively.
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