Last fall, the Harvard women’s volleyball team struggled to find its footing in non-conference play to open the year. In 2012, the team arrived in Hanover for its first Ivy League game, a loss at the hands of Dartmouth, with eight losses and just two wins under its belt.

This year, however, a different storyline has emerged for the Crimson.

In the team’s opening weekend, young starters and experienced upperclassmen worked through first set losses to top Holy Cross, 3-2, on Friday, and Hofstra, 3-1, the next night at the Malkin Athletic Center during the eighth annual Harvard Invitational.

Despite the graduation of Taylor Docter ’13 and Beth Kinsella ’13, anchors of last season’s team, Harvard (2-0) was able to hold an edge in hitting percentage through the whole weekend.

“We really just hit our stride and started playing our own system,” co-captain libero Natalie Doyle said. “Everybody calmed down and played relaxed and did their jobs. When everybody does their jobs, our system works, and we came out with the win.”

The Crimson starts the season with a 2-0 record for the first time since 2009.

HARVARD 3, HOFSTRA 1

It was a banner night for sophomore middle blocker Caroline Holte who finished the evening with 12 of 17 total blocks. Holte eclipsed her previous career high of nine blocks, set against Dartmouth in October 2012.

Junior Kristen Casey and sophomore Kathleen Wallace provided power at the attack, together notching 23 of the team’s 51 kills through four sets. Holte was third in kills with nine.

The first set was hotly contested, after Harvard saw a seven-point lead erased by a 10-3 Hofstra scoring spree. The Pride and Crimson traded points, with Hofstra taking the set, 28-26.

The second set was equally tight, with neither team holding a lead of greater than two points. A final kill by Holte gave the Crimson the set, 25-23.

The third and fourth sets also went to Harvard, as the Crimson offense hit at or above .125 for both sets to end the tournament in Harvard’s favor and prevent a fifth set.

HARVARD 3, HOLY CROSS 2

It was down to the wire as Holy Cross pushed Harvard to five sets in the Crimson’s season opener. The Crusaders set forth a defensive effort that saw freshman libero Emily Popp tally 31 digs against Harvard’s attacking unit.

“The Holy Cross defensive team was very good,” Crimson coach Jen Weiss said. “It’s the best it’s been in a while, so hats off to them playing really scrappy.”