CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--Another year, another chapter in the storied Red Line Rivalry. And for the men's volleyball team, it was business as usual.

Yesterday, the Crimson (1-0, 0-0 Hay) began its 2001 season by dominating the MIT Engineers (1-6, 1-4 Odeneal) en route to a 3-1 (30-16, 30-20, 20-30, 30-25) win.

"Generally, I was very pleased with our performance against MIT," said Harvard Coach Tom Wilson. "It was nice to win in four sets, as opposed to playing a fifth set like we've done in previous years."

The match, which was played in MIT's well-worn and poorly lit DuPont Gymnasium, was Harvard's first experience with the new rules approved by the NCAA for this volleyball season. The most noticeable change is the scoring format, which changed from 15-point games with points only coming off service to 30-point games with rally-point scoring.

"The new scoring system certainly gives a sense of urgency," said sophomore setter Mike Bookman. "Every time the ball is in play, points are at stake. And given the fact that volleyball is very much momentum driven, it's very difficult to make a comeback if you get down early."

Being down early was not a problem for Harvard, as the Crimson shot out to a 7-3 start in the first game on the strength of two kills from sophomore middle blocker Alex Kowell and another pair from senior outside hitter Brian Stevenson.

"I was particularly happy with Alex Kowell's play (who ended the day with 4 blocks and 9 kills for a .692 hitting percentage) and Brian Stevenson's performance (17 digs and 18 kills for .421)," Wilson said.

Harvard made quick work of the first game, ending with a 10-2 run to retire the Engineers, 30-17.