Navy Slams Spikers

The Harvard men's volleyball team was torpedoed by Navy in the season opener this weekend at MIT's Rockwell Cage.

"This is almost an experiment. We'll see what comes out," said Harvard Coach Ihsan Gurdal before the contest.

What finally came out could not have pleased Gurdal, as the Crimson dropped the match in three straight games. It was an inauspicious start for a Harvard squad which took third in the Ivy League last season.

Harvard came out tentative in the first game, and Navy built an early 7-4 lead. The Crimson kept close to the Midshipmen with the spiking of Freshman Henry Chang, but Navy Captain Chadwick Watson and the rest of his crew loosed an arsenal of slams to sink Harvard, 15-5.

The second game saw Harvard switch junior Henry Olson from setter to hitter, but Navy defense did not pick up the change. The Crimson stayed even early with new firepower of Olson and blocks of Captain Scott Neilson.

After a disputed call and some blistering serves from Midshipman Tucker Hite put Navy up, 9-6, Harvard was forced to take a timeout.

Coach Gurdal must have said something right during the timeout, because Harvard came roaring back with its best play of the match.

Neilson came up with a big block and then almost put a spike through Hite's chest. As the Midshipmen were recovering, Olson put away a pair of slams to tie the game at 11.

After a Navy timeout, Harvard's new-found attack stalled, and Navy served out a 15-12 win.

The Crimson could not start up again in the third game and again fell behind early. Inspired play from Neilson and Freshman Alec Berg could not generate enough momentum as the Navy duo of Hite and Watson successfully squashed Harvard's comeback attempts.

When Navy ran off six straight to take a 9-4 lead, the Crimson seemed ready to call it a day. Navy never let up and took the game and the match going away, 15-6.

"Our lineup is fine," said Neilson after the match. "We just need more solid play and we'll get it once reading period ends. Right now everyone's writing papers and stuff."

"We're definitely looking for an Ivy Championship," said Neilson.