“Defensively, on the blocking side, having bigger guys is a real advantage,” Jones said. “Also, in the middle spots having taller players gives the setter a bigger window...[which should] give us a more balanced offense. I’m hoping that’s going to be one of our improvements this year.”

Rehkemper should provide some of the much-needed size in the middle. As a senior at Palos Verdes High School in California, Rehkemper was named to the First-Team All-Bay League team and was selected as one of Sports Imports Fab 50 high school volleyball players in the country.

For Rehkemper and the four other California natives on the Crimson’s roster, spring break will serve as a homecoming.

Harvard will travel to the Golden State to take on three highly ranked opponents—No. 11 Cal State Northridge, No. 6 Pepperdine, and No. 1 Southern California—from March 12-16.

“I think having the opportunity to play better teams is going to be huge,” Lothman said. “Anytime you go play a team that’s that good, it’s a benchmark to see how good you really are. It’s really going to force us to up the level of our game.”

But before the Crimson can look forward to its trip West, the squad will try to take care of business tonight against Newbury.

The Nighthawks (2-4), led by outside hitter James Beck, have gotten off to a slow start, dropping three of their last four contests.

“I’m expecting to come out and play really hard,” Lothman said. “They have the edge in terms of game experience, but I think our intensity and work ethic is really going to come out in the game.”

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