This weekend, it took the Harvard men’s volleyball team only two hours and six sets to dispatch Emmanuel and Alderson Broaddus in nonconference action at the Malkin Athletic Center.
In both matches, the No. 15 Crimson (3-3) posted high kill percentages en route to straight-set victories.
“We did the little things pretty well,” Harvard coach Brian Baise said. “This weekend, we defended well…and we’re making good decisions on offense. We’re not making a lot of unforced errors.”
HARVARD 3, ALDERSON BROADDUS 0
With Harvard holding a 24-21 lead in the second set, the visiting Battlers (2-1) were doing something they had done frequently over the last 40 minutes: scrambling.
A mishandled pass sent blue-and-yellow players racing off the court, but hustling proved futile, as a desperation punch collided with the rafters and ended the set.
On a day of desperate sprinting, the Battlers could not outrun defeat, falling 3-0 to the Crimson in just over an hour.
Offensive efficiency propelled Harvard to victory, with the hosts recording a .383 hitting percentage. Alderson Broaddus finished with a .023 mark.
“It starts with our passing,” co-captain Caleb Zimmick said. “Both setters are working really well…[but] our serving can probably be a little bit better and tougher.”
Strong attacking was on display in the first frame, when the Crimson opened play on a 20-7 tear that included two 5-0 runs. The hosts racked up 13 first-set kills and just one error en route to a 25-13 win.
The Battlers showed signs of life in the third set, playing Harvard to a 6-6 deadlock. However, over the next seven points, Alderson Broaddus committed six attack errors and ultimately handed the set to the Crimson, 25-17.
Sophomore outside hitter Casey White and Zimmick led Harvard in kills with nine and eight, respectively. From the setter position, sophomore Nick Bendell managed the attack and collected 28 assists.
“Coach really emphasized treating ever match like it’s [No. 1] Loyola,” White said. “We’re trying to keep that intensity throughout everything.”
HARVARD 3, EMMANUEL 0
On Friday night, the Crimson used a pair of late-set runs to transform a couple of close games against the Saints into a blowout performance. Helped by critical errors by Emmanuel (0-1), Harvard earned a 3-0 victory at the Malkin Athletic Center.
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