The Crimson’s defense was particularly effective in the match’s opening two sets, during which Harvard held the Pioneers to 14 kills in each frame.

The Crimson grabbed the first set in dramatic fashion, rebounding from a 17-12 deficit to take a narrow two-point victory. Service errors plagued Sacred Heart down the stretch and strong play from Jones gave the Crimson the lead.

Jones led his team from behind the service line, finishing with four of Harvard’s nine aces. The Crimson also committed its fewest service errors of the season with nine.

Serving helped Harvard take control in the second, as the team went on a 15-5 run midway through the set to take a commanding lead. The Crimson did not look back from there, cruising to the seven-point win.

The third set was not as easy for Harvard, as Sacred Heart took an early 4-0 lead. But Jones came up with big plays for the Crimson, notching two aces and two kills in the early going to help Harvard take a 10-7 advantage. With the momentum back on its side, the Crimson did not let go of its lead, eventually closing out the match with the 30-27 win.

“I thought we played really well,” Weintraub said. “It was the first glimpse of what we’ve been working toward and working for.”

—Staff writer Martin Kessler can be reached at martin.kessler@college.harvard.edu.