COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For the second time in as many days, Harvard went the distance as the Crimson rallied to take down No.15 Ohio State in its non-conference final at St. John's Arena on Tuesday night. The victory came by set scores of 25-15, 25-19, 20-25, 21-25 and 17-15.
The win is Harvard's fourth five-set victory of the season, and third time the Crimson has knocked off a a top-15 opponent in the past three years. Ohio State (8-12), meanwhile, has dropped six of its last seven matches, including three in five sets.
Four different Crimson players posted double-digit kills led by junior DJ White who scored 13 and tallied 10 digs for his second double-double of the season and third overall. Senior Kyle Rehkemper contributed 12 kills on a .611 clip while classmate Nick Madden and freshman Casey White each chipped in 11. Nick Bendell dished out 50 assists as Harvard's primary setter.
Defensively, Harvard turned away 13 Ohio attempts at the net paced by six blocks from junior Caleb Zimmick. Madden and Rehekmper turned in five blocks each, while C. White and Bendell contributed to the defensive effort with seven digs apiece.
The Buckeyes also received four different players post double-digit kill performances as Driss Guessous recorded a match-best 18 on a .481 hitting percentage. Miles Johnson registered 16 kills, while Michael Hency and Alex Judkins added 14 kills and 13 kills, respectively.
