However, it was Quaker freshman Elizabeth Kwak- Heferan and junior Kelly Szczerba that ended the comeback.

Kwak-Heferan and Szczerba, after dominating the match, took control of the final points of the fifth game, which Penn won, 15-11.

"Since we had home court, we thought we had a really good chance," freshman outside hitter Allison Bendush said. "We came in very confident."

The match had started promisingly for Harvard, which raced off to a 12-2 lead in the first game. Co-captain Katherine Hart, playing in what would be her final game in a Harvard uniform, energized the Crimson with her stellar play.

Hart was unstoppable in the early stages, leading the offense and defense with pinpoint kills and stifling blocks. Penn's play was shaky and inconsistent, leading to a number of errors in the opening game.

Soon the Quakers picked up the pace and won seven straight points to come within 12-9. Harvard would not let the game slip from its grasp and closed out, 15-10, for a 1-0 lead in the match.

"Everybody was happy that we were able to show up," Bendush said. "It was an exciting match."