The set score might say differently, but on Friday night, only a few points separated Harvard from a sloppy upset over the Nittany Lions.

Consider the second set: Down 17-13, the Crimson had clawed back to take a 21-20 lead. Over 400 people had made it to the home opener, and that crowd buzzed with new expectation of a grind-and-grit finale.

Instead, Penn State took the next five points to claim the frame. The crowd settled into silence.

A frame later, the hosts boasted a 19-18 lead after powering ahead on an early 6-0 run.

But the Nittany Lions responded in formulaic fashion, using a five-point streak to take control. Although Harvard fought back with a pair of points, the night ended on a kill by sophomore outside hitter Chris Nugent. Game score: 25-21.

In contrast to the efficient offense against St. Francis, the Crimson put up a .179 hitting percentage. Clemens, who had racked up double-digit kill totals in his last 17 matches, accumulated one finish and three errors.

“Penn State, they have a great coach, and they’re really smart,” Clemens said. “They scouted well…. I really couldn’t get in a rhythm.”

Despite that difficulty, Harvard opened play by building a 12-6 first-set advantage. The Nittany Lions scratched back to tie the score at 23-23, and then a pair of errors—one by White and one by Clemens—handed Penn State the set.

Nugent, the Nittany Lions’ leader in kills, topped all players with 19. Gretsch led the Crimson with nine.

“Penn State is a really good team, but I felt like we made them look better,” Baise said. “Our side of the net was not the team we usually are.”

—Staff writer Sam Danello can be reached at sdanello@college.harvard.edu.