The Crimson, behind Bookman's 22 assists and middle blocker Justin Denham's nine kills, pulled out a tough 15-13 win in the first game.

"[Justin Denham] was unstoppable at the beginning of the match," Pankau said. "Put up a set, get a kill--it was a simple formula."

The simplicity of the Crimson attack was unexpectedly complicated in the second game when junior outside hitter Brian Stevenson came down with an ankle injury. Sophomore Conor Gaughan filled in nicely, though, and Harvard barely lost the second game 16-14, and came back with a vengeance to win the third game 15-2.

With a chance to finish off the Pioneers in the fourth game, the Crimson faltered and succumbed to the weekend's fatigue.

"The fourth game was excruciatingly long and we were definitely running on fumes as the match wore on," Pankau said.

The Pioneers won the fourth game 16-14, but could not stave off the relentless Crimson attack in the deciding game.

Bookman and Pankau tacked on two aces as Harvard pulled out the fifth game 15-13, and the match 3-2.

Harvard 3, Queens College 2