NEWARK, Del. — Junior Chichi Ikwuazom recorded her 200th career block and senior Lauren Wilkins posted a career-high 13 kills as the Columbia volleyball team split Friday's matches at the Blue Hen Invitational, hosted by Delaware. Columbia fell to Grand Canyon in three sets (24-26, 17-25, 12-25) before bouncing back for a three-set victory over Marist (25-23, 25-23, 25-22).

"I thought we rebounded well and played confident, positive volleyball to win that second match," head coach Allison Keeley stated. "Our outsides played well and kept us in there. Lauren is becoming a dependable outside for us both passing and attacking."

Wilkins led all players with 13 kills against Marist (3-6). She added eight digs and was one of three Lions to post double-figure kills along with Ikwuazom (10) and first-year Emily Teehan (12). Ikwuazom was effective hitting .304 while adding three blocks. The two-time All-Ivy First Team selection saw her first action of the season and earned her 200th career block in the first match of the day against Grand Canyon (5-2).

"It was great to have Chichi back in the lineup," Keeley added. "She brings a lot of positive energy and I expect her to get better as the season progresses."

Columbia (2-3) was led on the ground by libero Kalie Wood, who came up with 16 digs against GCU and 13 against Marist. Teehan had 16 digs against the Red Foxes to tally her second double-double of the season and senior Luciana Del Valle completed a trio in double figures with 11 digs. Junior Rose Compton led the block by posting a match-high five, including two block solos.

"Kalie had a really good day defensively and Rose Compton came off the bench and contributed a spark against Marist with her blocking," Keeley went on to say. "Luciana also provided a spark off the bench playing on the right side and did a great job."

The Lions battled Marist to 10 ties and five lead changes through each of the first two sets. Ikwuazom was the difference maker in the first, where she slammed five of her 10 kills and hit .556 to get Columbia over the hump. Trailing 22-21, Columbia scored five of the final six points behind three kills from Ikwuazom, including the final two to clinch the set.

Columbia used the momentum from the first to jump out to a 10-4 lead in the second. The early run included an ace by Del Valle and a pair of kills apiece from Ikwuazom and Wilkins. Marist came storming back with the next five points and completed a 14-4 run ahead 18-14. The Lions settled down and leveled the score at 20 on a kill by Del Valle. Marist took a 23-22 lead late, but Columbia scored the final three points with kills by Teehan and Wilkins to go up two sets. 

The final set saw huge momentum swings in both directions. Marist scored eight straight early on to grab a 9-5 advantage, but the Lions responded with a 9-2 run to go up 14-11 and force a timeout. Marist pulled back within one at 21-20, but the Lions never surrendered the lead. Three straight points on two Teehan kills and a Wood ace presented Columbia with a handful of match points and the Lions converted on a Teehan blast.

Friday morning's match was a different story, as Grand Canyon hit .321 and limited the Lions to .096 to win in three sets. Columbia played a very competitive opening set that saw 15 ties and six lead changes, coming back from a 10-5 hole to grab leads of 16-15 an 18-17. The two sides played back and forth to 24-all, but back-to-back kills from Melody Horton closed out the set in favor of the Antelopes.

"I thought we just came out flat in the first match and had trouble finding our rhythm and being consistent," said Keeley. "Credit to our girls for turning things around in the afternoon against Marist."

The Lions never held the lead in the second set and briefly led 1-0 in the third before GCU ran away with it. KJ Adams and Kaira Moss led the Antelopes with nine kills apiece with Moss hitting an impressive .467. Horton finished an errorless game hitting .389 with seven kills.    

Columbia concludes the Blue Hen Invitational Saturday afternoon at 12:30 against tournament host Delaware. Fans can watch the game live on YouTube.

WATCH ON ESPN 
After the Ivy League announced its partnership with ESPN, all home and Ivy League volleyball matches are scheduled to be played on the ESPN+ this fall. To sign up for ESPN+ for as low as $4.99/month or $49.99/annually, and catch all the action this season click here.