But after a rough start, the Crimson regrouped and, despite being down 7-2 at the beginning of the third set, Harvard came back, earning five points in a row, tying the game at 10. With an impressive six kills in the frame, Casey helped lead the team to a victory, winning its first set against the Tigers.

“We’re proud that we were able to pick it up and not … give up,” Wu said.

With new confidence, the Crimson entered the fourth set ready to fight. Although Harvard trailed Princeton, 16-6, at one point during the game, the Crimosn kept it together, taking a 10-2 point stretch to close the gap in the score. Freshman outside hitter Tara MacLean and junior outside hitter Taylor Docter contributed four and five kills, respectively, to the set. Docter finished the game by scoring two kills in the last three points, tying up the showdown between the Crimson and the Tigers at two sets each.

The deciding factor came down to the fifth and final set, but Harvard failed to overcome the strength of the Princeton onslaught that culminated in a match victory.

Sophomore Erin Cooney, who recorded 10 kills, Casey, who added 11 kills and three aces, and Docter, who put up a season-high of 18 kills, led the Crimson offense. Doyle stepped in for junior setter Beth Kinsella, who suffered a season-ending injury, to post a career-best 51 assists for the match.

“It was a smooth transition,” Doyle said. “I felt prepared because I had been setting in practice, and I knew what game plan we wanted to follow, and my team really has my back.”

Harvard heads to Brown and Yale next weekend to continue its Ivy play.

“We can’t underestimate Brown … and Yale is always one of the top competitors. We know we can take them and stick with them,” Wu said.