Instead, the frame developed into a back-and-forth battle, with each side holding the lead at least twice. With the score knotted at 23-all, however, the visitors pulled out a duo of points. Zimmick got a kill, the Patriots made an error, and Harvard took the set, 25-23.
Throughout the matchup, which was the first EIVA contest since the Crimson returned from a spring break trip to California, Harvard trotted out a new-look lineup that shifted players all over the court.
Perhaps most noticeably, sophomore Casey White donned the libero jersey, something he had done in several previous games. And for the third consecutive contest, White notched more than 10 digs, finishing with 11.
In addition, freshman Marko Kostich replaced sophomore Nick Bendell at the setter position. Kostich recorded 40 assists to go along with three kills and six digs.
“We hadn’t seen [George Mason] this year, so we were looking forward to the competition,” Zimmick said. “It’s big for us to get this win so we have confidence going forward knowing that we can play like we did today.”
—Staff writer Sam Danello can be reached at sam.danello@thecrimson.com.