For the Crimson, it would have been the first NCAA Tournament appearance in the program’s history.

Instead, it was the final game for the team’s three seniors—Gould, Ogbechie and Nilly Schweitzer, arguably the most heralded recruiting class in Harvard history.

“It was really funny, actually,” Gould said. “It didn’t really hit me until after we had slapped hands with the other team that this was it. Nilly, Kaego and I kind of all came together after that, and it was a little emotional...but during the game, I don’t think anyone was thinking about it.”

The day after Ogbechie was named Ivy Player of the Year for the second time in her career, she showed why.

Ogbechie racked up a team-high 21 kills with ruthless efficiency—finishing the day with a .405 hitting percentage—and tossed in 12 digs to complete the double-double.

Ogbechie, who also was named Ivy Player of the Year in 2002, became the first two-time winner of the award in Harvard history.

Schweitzer chipped in a double-double of her own (13 kills, 17 digs) as did the newly-crowned Ivy Rookie of the Year Laura Mahon (17 kills, 17 digs). Schweitzer had been named to the All-Ivy second-team the day before.

Yale was led by Shannon Farrell, who posted a match-high 23 kills.

“I thought our players played with a lot of heart tonight,” said Yale coach Erin Appleman. “We started out flat, but were able to come back because we believed in each other and had a lot of heart.”

—Staff writer Lande A. Spottswood can be reached at spottsw@fas.harvard.edu.