The support both in the stands and around Harvard has melded these two teams into one cohesive, if still separate, family. As each team improves, so does the connection that brings the two athletic programs together off the court.

“I would definitely say that the [men’s volleyball team is] our brother team,” Holte said. “The constant interaction and constant support is something that I will genuinely cherish about the volleyball program as a whole. It doesn’t feel like two separate teams at all; it feels like one team.”

In the 2015 season, the women’s team achieved several program firsts, including a bid to the NCAA tournament and an unprecedented repeat Ivy title.

Beginning this January, the men will begin their quest to follow in the women’s footsteps as they begin their play–with the reciprocal support of the women’s team behind them throughout the year.

“I still think back to the first time that we met them,” Clemens said. “It’s amazing to see how much we changed and also stayed true to ourselves during our college careers…. Hopefully some of their good luck and hard work can rub off on us, and we can have as successful a season as they did.”

–Staff Writer Ginny Miller can be reached at ginny.miller@thecrimson.com