Harvard improved its Ivy League record to 2-1 with a pair of victories this weekend over Penn and Princeton.

The Harvard women’s volleyball team got back on track towards its goal of repeating as Ivy League champions with a clean sweep of rivals Penn and Princeton this weekend.

The victories were crucial for the Crimson (6-7, 2-1 Ivy) after the Cambridge squad dropped its Ivy League opener to Dartmouth. No team in the last eight years has won the Ancient Eight title after losing more than two games, making each matchup for Harvard pivotal at this stage in the season.

“Our mentality was a lot stronger [this weekend],” said senior outside hitter Kathleen Wallace. “We came in with a fire and a passion, which we had at Dartmouth but we didn’t maintain as well.”

HARVARD 3, PENN 0

In front of a large crowd in the Malkin Athletic Center, Harvard marched its way to a 3-0 victory over Penn (8-7, 2-1 Ivy), snapping the Quakers’ four-game win streak.

The first set would turn out to be the closest. Penn clawed its way back from a large early deficit, but still fell six points short to the Crimson.

The Harvard momentum carried over into the next two sets, as the Quakers only managed 27 total points. In each frame, Harvard took an early lead and never allowed Penn back into the game.

“I think we did an excellent job and we stuck to the game plan,” Harvard coach Jennifer Weiss said. “Everybody really did a great job. We want to keep this momentum going.”

The Crimson’s efforts were spearheaded by Wallace, who finished the night with a team-high 13 kills, followed by freshman middle blocker Christina Cornelius with eight and junior setter Corinne Bain with seven.

Senior outside hitter Alexis Genske led Penn on the night with seven kills and six digs.

Genske’s efforts were not enough to stop the Crimson, however, as six different Harvard players recorded three or more kills, and the Cambridge squad improved to 2-1 in the Ivy League.

HARVARD 3, PRINCETON 0

The Crimson started and ended the weekend in the same fashion, taking off quickly in its game against Princeton (5-7, 0-3 Ivy) and never looking back, en route to a straight-sets victory over the Tigers.

The Crimson made some important adjustments to rebound from its loss against Dartmouth and demonstrated improved defensive play as it finished the weekend without giving up a set to its Ivy conference opponents.

Princeton’s play was anchored by senior Kendall Peterkin and freshman Nnenna Ibe. Both players finished with eight kills, a subpar showing for Peterkin, who has otherwise averaged over 13 kills per games for the Tigers this season.