Later on, trailing 18-15, Harvard ran off a three-point stretch featuring kills by Cardet and junior co-captain Justin Denham (20 kills). However, Roger Williams answered with five straight points broken up only by a Harvard timeout before the Crimson players fought their way back into the match with a four-point streak of their own to bring themseleves within one at 23-22. After two sets of consecutive points by the Hawks separated by a Harvard tally, the Crimson trailed 27-23 and its prospects for taking the third game looked bleak.

A kill by Cardet, however, energized the crowd and pulled the Crimson back within three. Unfortunately, his ensuing serve went into the net, giving Roger Williams back its four-point advantage. Luckily for the Crimson, Kowell came through with a kill and four successful serves to give Harvard match point at 29-28.

After a Roger Williams timeout, the Hawks scored back-to-back points to take the lead, but another Kowell kill brought the Crimson back even. The Crimson then gained another match point, which Roger Williams was able to save. It was then the Hawks' turn to have a chance at the game, but a Denham kill tied the score at 32. Harvard then earned its third match point, but Kowell hit a jump serve long. Next, Cardet notched yet another kill to give the Crimson yet another shot at the match, but the Hawks once more managed to remain in the contest.

The teams traded points to 35-34, Harvard, but a Denham serve into the net prolonged the match and heightened the tension in the Malkin Athletic Center. The Hawks then earned another game point, but two Harvard tallies gave the Crimson its sixth match point, on which Cardet served long, tying the score at 37. Finally, Harvard was able to score two more points to close out the match, 39-37.

Following the match, Coach Wilson expressed his pleasure at the team's accomplishment of his first two goals, citing senior outside hitter Auden Velasquez and senior Co-Captain Justin Micomonaco as having passed well and also acknowledging the latter's defensive work (9 digs). As for his third objective, however, Coach Wilson noted that the team struggled close to the antenna. He was, though, encouraged by the team's comeback victory in the third game.

Denham also seemed happy with the team's persistence in the third game, observing that playing while behind was something the squad had worked on during practice. He also complimented the play of Cardet--ten kills in two games for a .600 hitting percentage--whom he described as athletic and exciting, with skills that have improved noticeably since the team started practicing full-time.

Also aiding the team greatly were standout performances by senior Brian Stevenson, who had 16 kills, and sophomore setter Mike Bookman, who notched an impressive 48 assists and 11 digs.

Following this key win, the men's volleyball team hopes to continue its quest for the EIVA Hay Division title this weekend, when it travels to East Stroudsberg on Saturday and St. Francis on Sunday. There, only one thing is certain--the games won't be much closer than Wednesday's.