The season did not begin on such glowing terms.

Despite taking six of its first 10 contests, the Crimson struggled to learn the new sets implemented by Russell, who was in his first year at the helm of the women’s water polo team. Harvard’s best win was a 9-7 victory over Bucknell—to whom the Crimson later lost 10-9 in overtime. Harvard’s matchups with ranked opponents were abysmal, as the Crimson lost to Indiana, Princeton and Brown by a combined score of 27-6.

But the Crimson had a midseason surge, taking three out of its four home matches, sweeping Connecticut College and splitting with Brown.

“The last time we beat Brown was the first time we played them my freshman year,” co-captain goaltender Elana Miller said.  “There couldn’t be a better end [to my home career].”

Harvard rode that momentum to take four out of its next five before hitting a wall as fatigue set in on its West Coast swing.

Regardless of the ups and downs through which Harvard suffered all season, finishing among the top 20 teams in the nation was the goal from day one. For the Crimson, that’s one big mission accomplished.

—Staff writer Michael R. James can be reached at mrjames@fas.harvard.edu.