The Red will start its weekend on the Hill—putting a slight damper on the team’s Fall Break plans—as it plays host to Harvard tomorrow night for both teams’ third Ivy League match of the season. The Crimson (4-9, 0-2 Ivy) will be continuing an away stretch that began last Friday with the club’s second straight loss to Dartmouth. Cornell (4-9, 1-1 Ivy) on the other hand is riding a two-match win streak, following back-to-back wins against Bucknell and Columbia. The latter match offered the Red a taste of sweet revenge, as the team burned the Lions in straight sets at Newman Arena, less than a week after losing on the Lions’ home court.

Last season the Red finished in a tie for third place, with a 9-5 Ivy record and a 10-15 overall tally. While still early in the season, beating Harvard will be one more step towards an improved ranking amongst the Ancient Eight. While the Crimson and the Red have identical Ivy records, the Red will have to face Dartmouth—undefeated in Ivy play—with a 6-6 overall record. The back-to-back home stand will be a test of the Red’s work ethic, motivation and resilience.

Big air: Sophomore Meagan Tatum’s ability to make kills will be integral when the Red faces Harvard on Friday at Newman Arena.Harvard lost to Dartmouth in straight sets in the teams’ first match-up: 25-15, 25-22, 25-23. While the Crimson earned the advantage in total digs (60-54) the offense was unable to put significant points on the board. In the second match up, this one on the Green’s turf, the home team prevailed again in three, 25-14, 25-22, 26-19. Harvard held the advantage in total blocks this time, 6.5-6.0, and also had nine more blocks than Dartmouth.

The Crimson is lead by sophomore libero/defensive specialist Christine Wu, who tallied the most digs against Dartmouth, as well as senior setter Lilly Durwood, who sets the pace for Harvard on offense. The Green are led by senior Megan MacGregor, a towering 5-11 presence in the outside hitting position, 6-0 sophomore Medline Baird, also an outside hitter and sophomore setter Kendall Houston.

Cornell will need stellar efforts from all positions if it wants to win either match this weekend. The Crimson’s defense has been putting up good numbers, but not backing them up with enough offensive firepower.

Senior co-captains Megan Mushovic, libero, and Juliana Rogers, middle blocker, will no doubt be instrumental in keeping team morale high and fatigue at a minimum over the home stand.

In the team’s last competition, it’s 25-18, 25-15, 25-18 win over Columbia on Oct. 3, the Red’s freshmen and veterans shared the workload equally—another factor that may be integral this weekend, if subbing becomes an important part of head coach Sarah Bernson’s match strategy.

Freshman outside hitter Deveney Pula led the team with 10 kills and a .222 kill percentage. In the setter position, another underclassman, sophomore Jordan Reeder, ran the offense efficiently, tallying 34 total assists. Reeder went on to be honored as the Ivy League’s Player of the Week.

Mushovic had yet another stellar performance as well, leading the team with 12 digs. Classmate Rogers also had a solid game, finishing with seven kills and five blocks.

After the weekend’s matches the Red will have a few days for some well-deserved rest before continuing with the second half of its home stand next Friday and Saturday, welcoming Yale and Brown to Ithaca.