Spikers Seek to Make Crimson History; Stroudsburg Favored in NCAA Playoffs

The Harvard men's volleyball team has a chance to make history today at the Indorr Athletic Building.

If the Crimson claims its two NCAA playoff matches this afternoon, it will become the first Harvard volleyball team to make it to the Eastern Final Four and win the Ivy League Championship in the same season.

The spikers were Ivy champions in '83, and made it to the Final Four in '84, but 1985 is the first year offering them the promise of both honors.

But before this year's Crimson squad etches its name into the Harvard record books, it'll have to earn its regional title by defeating the New Jersey Institute of Technology at noon and then winning the finals of the NCAA playoffs later this evening.

The spikers defeated NIII in straight games earlier this season and are a solid favorite to win today's match and cruise into the finals if they can just play consistently.

"They make mistakes," said outside hitter Seth Farber. "If we play steady, we'll beat them."

Showdown Expected

If all goes as anticipated in the other end of the playoff draw, the finals should pit the Crimson against East Stroudsburg University, one of the best teams on the East Coast.

Stroudsburg is rankest first on the region, with a current record of 22.2, Harvard had lost all three encounters with them this year.

It should be noted, however, that each of those losses was closely contested and that the spikers do possess the talent to play up to East Stroudsburg's caliber of volleyball.

"They're not a team that can just walk on the court and beat us without playing their very best games," said Farber.

So don't expect Stroudsburg to sail past the Crimson into the Final Four simply based on their past record. Because where the spikers are concerned, betting the odds can be a costly habit.

Just last weekend Harvard halted Princeton's two year, seven match winning streak over the Crimson by crushing the Tigers to win the Ivy League Championship. Now it might must be time for Harvard to turn the tables on Stroudsburg, as well

The Rundown

"On paper East Stroudsburg has got to be considered the favorite," said Farber. "During the season, when there wasn't really anything at stake, we'd enjoy just taking gaines off them. But now there's something at stake we have a chance to do better than any Harvard volleyball team has ever done."

"No one is going to be satisfied with just coming close anymore," he continued. "Now everyone expects to win. And that's going to make the difference."