Columbia University
Yale
Columbia Battles In 3-1 Loss To Defending Champion Bulldogs
10/2/2015 9:49:00 PM | Volleyball
NEW HAVEN, CONN. – Despite a strong fight by the Columbia volleyball team (3-8, 1-1 Ivy League), the defending Ivy League Champion Yale Bulldogs were able to take home a 3-1 victory over the Lions on Friday night (24-26, 28-26, 18-25, 23-25).
The Lions offense came out firing behind the serve of Luciana Del Valle to open the first set, taking the first four points to take an early lead before the Bulldogs were able to tie things up at 5-5. From that point on it was a back-and-forth battle all the way to the final points of the frame.
With the help of a Zoe Jacobs kill to cut the Yale lead to 24-22, the Lions looked to have the set won but unfortunately the Bulldogs were able to respond back with four unanswered points to take set one, 26-24.
The intensity continued into the second set, but this time it was Columbia's time to rally back. Facing set point at 24-20, Ara Peterson was able to send home a kill off a Jennifer Petrovich pass to spark four unanswered points for the Lions and tie things up at 24-24.
From there, the teams fought back and forth before a pair of kills by Bailey Springer would seal the second-set comeback and give the Lions a 28-26 win, tying the match up heading into the intermission.
Despite a valiant effort by the Lions, Yale was able to take the next two sets, 25-18 and 25-23, respectively, to round out a 3-1 victory.
Springer led the Lions with 20 kills for a .346 attacking percentage, adding on seven digs, three blocks and an ace while Kesi Neblett picked up 10 kills on the night. First-year Luciana Del Valle remained a consistent offensive threat for the Lions, posting up eight kills and 14 digs while adding two blocks and a pair of aces.
Jennifer Petrovich picked up her second-consecutive double-double for the Lions after recording 10 digs and 47 assists on the night.
Columbia returns to action on Saturday night as they take on Brown at 5 p.m. live on the Ivy League Digital Network (ILDN).
