CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard Men’s Volleyball kicked off its 2025 season with a tough loss against UC Irvine at the ASICS Tournament, taking place at UC Santa Barbara.
The Crimson displayed moments of strong offensive play, especially in the second set where they boasted a .360 kill percentage. Sawyer Nichols led the team with six kills, while Quinn Bishop added five. Zach Berty, Brian Thomas, and Owen Woolbert also contributed, showing a well-rounded attack.
One notable strength for Harvard was their ability to handle UC Irvine’s blocking. They often redirected their swings to earn out-of-bounds points, which helped keep rallies alive.
This match marked the first appearances for Eric Su and Kai Gan. Adrian Shevchuk excelled as the setter, skillfully managing the offense, and Thomas Phung made crucial plays in the back row, keeping Harvard competitive in long exchanges.
Despite their efforts, UC Irvine secured the victory in three sets.
Looking Ahead
Harvard hopes to build on its offensive performance as they prepare to face CSUN on January 9th at 5:00 PM ET.
As the season progresses, exploring how various teams adapt to playing styles and strategies could reveal trends in college volleyball performance. According to recent data from the NCAA, we see an increased emphasis on analytics in training, which helps teams improve their efficiency and game strategies. This evolution might just add a new twist to the traditional game.
For more insights into the impact of analytics in sports, you can read more on the NCAA website here.
