Columbia
FAIRFIELD
Volleyball Downs Fairfield, 3-1, in Columbia Invitational Finale
9/6/2014 6:25:00 PM | Volleyball
| Columbia Invitational | |||
| vs. Bucknell | Recap | Box Score | |
| vs. Stony Brook | Recap | Box Score | |
| vs. Fairfield | Recap | Box Score | |
NEW YORK – Behind 20 kills from junior Bailey Springer the Columbia volleyball team kept its undefeated streak alive as it downed Fairfield, 3-1, to cap off the sixth annual Columbia Invitational Saturday night at Levien Gymnasium. The Lions third straight win came by set scores of 25-17, 25-19, 21-25 and 25-18.
Columbia, which starts its season 3-0 for the first time since notching an identical mark at the Lafayette Cross-Town Tournament in 2009, swept the field of competition at its invitational for the third time since its inception in 2009. The Lions' victory was their first over Fairfield (3-4) since the two programs met in 1989.
With 20 kills, Springer led the Lions' attack for the first time this season while classmate Katarina Jovicic, an all-tournament team selection, poured in 12 kills and sophomore Kesi Neblett added 10 scores. Sophomore Jennifer Petrovich contributed 46 assists to the offense.
The Lions' defense was strong all the way around in limiting Fairfield to a .165 hitting percentage. Sophomore Cassie Wes turned in 16 digs to pace the back row while senior Charlee Dyroff and junior Alex Reale contributed 12 and 11, respectively. Junior Atlanta Moye-McLaren, who was named the invitational's most valuable player also chipped in 10. At the net, Reale and Neblett turned away two Fairfield attempts each.
The Stags were led by first-year Marilyn Peizer who totaled 20 kills.
Columbia took control of the first set after a kill by Petrovich moved the score to 10-6. The Stags kept the set close, however, before a block by Reale and Neblett pushed the lead back to five points, 16-11. Four straight tallies by the Lions capped off by an ace by Reale gave the hosts an eight-point lead, 20-12 and Columbia took set point on Springer's fifth strike of the set, 25-17.
A 7-2 spurt to open the second put Columbia in control early, 9-6. The Stags rallied to pull within one, 15-14, but the Lions lead did not falter as a 5-1 run brought the host's lead back to five, 20-15. Fairfield attempted another comeback and came within two points of the lead, 20-18, but the run was ended by a Jovicic kill. Columbia went on to register four of the final five points and an error from the Stags server, Sydney Buckley sealed the stanza, 25-19.
Looking to take the match the distance, Fairfield came from behind in the third set after Columbia burst to a 6-4 lead to take its first advantage of the match, 15-14. The Lions could not form a rally and back-to-back points by the Stags proved to be the difference as the visitors took the set, 25-21.
It was all Columbia in the fourth frame as the Lions rolled to a 16-11 lead. A 5-3 stretch moved the score to 23-17 before Columbia finished the night off with a kill from Moye-Mclaren for match point, 25-18.
The Lions head on the road for the first time this season next weekend as Columbia heads to our nation's capital for the Colonial Challenge. The Lions take the floor against the host George Washington Friday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. to kick-off the tournament before competing against Illinois State in Friday's night cap at 5 p.m. Columbia concludes the tournament on Saturday, Sept. 13 with a 12 p.m. contest against Baylor.
Columbia Invitational All-Tournament Team
MVP Atlanta Moye-McLaren, Columbia
Katarina Jovicic, Columbia
Carsen Mata, Bucknell
Megan Theiller, Fairfield
Evann Slaughter, Stony Brook
Katie Price - Bucknell
