"We had 15 bodies in and off the court against Columbia," Bates said. "We didn't pass as well as we could, but we are happy."
In the third (and what would prove to be final game) the Lions gave the Crimson a run for its money. The game was even early in the game before the Crimson once again jumped to a decent lead, 12-8. The Lions took a timeout.
The strategy must have worked as Columbia broke the home team's run. The Lions roared back to a 12-14 lead and two game points. Led by co-captain Lolita Lopez, the Crimson players, many of whom were freshman, rose to the occasion to rattle off four straight points to take the match.
"It's a good freshmen class," Bates said. "Julie [Yick] and Katherine [Hart] have been key."
"The transition [to college volleyball] has been really easy," said Yick, who is a setter. "There is really no division between the classes."
Harvard, who last year finished second behind Brown at the Ivy League Tournament looks to be among the leaders come post season.
Its next Ivy challenge comes in the form of Dartmouth on October 11.
Before then, however, the Crimson must first travel to Massachusetts tomorrow for its 11th non-conference match of the season.