All summer long, teams of Harvard community members have been gathering to compete in the annual Rhino League volleyball tournament. Though athletes from across Harvard take part, the league has always been administered by the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) and run by people from the MCB community. This year 43 teams, including over 300 participants, faced off in the competitive and recreational leagues. The season is concluding with a tournament. The semi-final matches determining the top four teams will take place this Thursday, August 22, at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. The top two teams will play for the championship in the Rhino League final match this Friday, August 23 at 4:00 PM. The 3rd place match will take place at 3:00 PM prior to the final.
The Rhino League Finals will be celebrated with a party starting after the final match on Friday, where food and drink will be available.
You can also watch the games’ live stream.
Marc Duque Ramirez, an Engert Lab Program in Neuroscience (PiN) graduate student, has been serving as primary commissioner this season. PiN graduate student Alex Chen and research assistant Clemens Riegler, who are also in the Engert Lab, helped set up the season. It is Duque Ramirez’s first season as Rhino League Commissioner.
“My experience as the Rhino Volleyball League commissioner has been both rewarding and challenging,” he says. “What surprised me the most was how much time and effort goes into managing a league, especially when doing it alone. The level of detail involved in coordinating schedules, maintaining the website, and addressing issues as they arise was more intense than I anticipated. Additionally, the recurring issue with the volleyball net being too low, despite efforts to fix it, was unexpected and has been a bit of a hurdle for maintaining a high level of play. On a positive note, I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm from the players and the excitement around the new website and our upcoming Twitch livestreams, starting with the winner quarterfinals.”
Teams have been playing and tracking wins throughout the summer, with the community cheering the teams on. Duque Ramirez will commentate on the matches, alongside Chen. The semi-finals will be next live streamed on Thursday (August 22) at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, as will the finals on Friday.
Many teams have had notable wins and losses over the season, but Duque Ramirez highlighted two teams that are going into the competitive quarterfinals. “A particularly interesting story arc involves the merger between the Engert Lab team and the 4th Floor Giants (mostly Uchida Lab) to form a superteam, reminiscent of the 2016 Warriors,” he says. “However, this move wasn’t well received by everyone, with some questioning whether it’s in the spirit of the league. Despite the controversy, they remain in the winners’ bracket, but there’s significant pressure to see if this strategy will ultimately pay off. Another notable story is that of Don’t Infringes on My Meninges, who joined the league late due to registration issues but have managed to defy expectations by becoming the last non-competitive team in the winners’ bracket. Their upcoming match against last year’s champions, Gio’s Angels, is highly anticipated.”
Duque Ramirez says he’s still considering whether he wants to continue serving as Rhino League Commissioner next year and adds that he’s seeking dedicated collaborators whose enthusiasm can help elevate the league. “I’d encourage anyone considering getting involved with Rhino League organizing to embrace the challenge—it’s a rewarding experience that requires strong organizational skills and a commitment to making a positive impact on the community,” he says.
“Reflecting on the season, I’d like to express my deep appreciation to both the MCB and Rhino League communities for their enthusiasm and support throughout the year,” says Duque Ramirez. “I’d especially like to thank Adam Lowet, Sam Finkbeiner, and Lance Schumacher, previous commissioners who provided invaluable guidance, as well as the members of the Engert Lab for their assistance. A special thanks to Jessica Manning for her efforts in addressing the net issue and helping resolve other challenges. Your collective contributions have been essential in making this season a success.”
Join us this Thursday, August 22 for the semi-finals at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM and on Friday, August 23 at 4:00 PM for the Rhino League Finals!
