"We have a lot of new faces, and we've worked hard to get used to playing with one another," Mattson said. "I think it's paid off, because our chemistry is great right now."
The Crimson's newest members have already taken an integral part in the team's success. Posipil started all three of the team's first three matches at the New England Classic last weekend and registered 13 kills against Southwest Missouri State. Miller, Dildine, Bendush, Meunier and Murphy also saw playing time last weekend.
"The freshmen have done a fantastic job so far," Mattson said. "They all came to preseason in great shape and have worked hard on the court. They have great chemistry as a class and as part of the team."
One player the Crimson will be without is senior Julie Yick, a setter during her three-year career. Yick is not on the team's roster this year.
In spite of the hard work that the team had invested into its preseason workouts, the Crimson lost its first three matches of the year at the New England Classic last weekend.
After battling in a four-game defeat to Southwest Missouri State Friday, the Crimson lost to Purdue in three straight games and Lamar in five tough games Saturday afternoon at the Malkin Athletic Center. The Crimson, which had just completed a week of grueling two-a-day practices, found itself too exhausted to challenge its opponents for the duration of its matches.
"Overall we did a lot of great things and the tournament was a good first step for us," Mattson said. "This week in practice we can focus on the things we could have done better last weekend."
The Crimson is now ready to continue its quest to win the Ivy League. What makes the league championship even more alluring this season is the added opportunity to be etched into volleyball history.
This is the last year that all eight Ivy schools will be eligible to compete in a double-elimination tournament in which their seeding will be determined by their conference records, and the Crimson hopes that it will be the last champion of a historic era in Ivy League volleyball.
"It's really exciting to have such a special tournament happen at Harvard," Mattson said. "That will definitely be extra motivation for us."
In addition to its talent, size and strength, the Crimson's desire to make history may be the final ingredient that it needs to win a championship. After coming close to winning the league last year, Harvard hopes that this year it has concocted the correct recipe for success.