ITHACA, N.Y. – Columbia volleyball (3-7) captured a 25-22 victory in the first set against Cornell (3-7) during the Ivy League opener on Saturday afternoon. The Big Red responded by winning the next three sets, defeating the Lions 3-1.
 
Saj McBurrows put up double-digit kills for the second time this season, going for 10 while hitting .333. Ruby van der Heide and Vanessa Pan combined for 30 total digs. Ruby van der Heide was the main facilitator for the Lions, tallying 21 assists. The performance marked the seventh match this year in which she had more than 20 assists.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Columbia opened the first set with two consecutive points, Cornell ripped off a 9-3 run. A kill from Harper Justema, followed by a van der Heide service ace and a Pierce Woodall kill, cut the deficit to one. The Big Red tried to create separation, stretching its margin to three, but the Lions did not go away.
 
The teams were tied twice before Columbia retook the edge. With the match even at 17, CU scrummed together four unanswered points on Cornell errors. The Lions did not surrender the lead for the remainder of the set. Kiara Robichaud had the final kill of the set.
 
Saj McBurrows had back-to-back kills for points two and three in the second set. With the score sitting at 3-1 in favor of the Lions, Cornell outscored Columbia 7-1. The Big Red lead hovered between four and six points for most of the set, before growing to eight points towards the end. Cornell won 25-17.
 
Cornell carried the momentum from the second set into the start of the third set, building an 8-2 advantage. Columbia bounced back by outscoring the Big Red 11-6. Ruby van der Heide concluded the run with a service ace and the Lions were within one point of evening the score. Cornell retaliated with a 6-1 run, going up 20-14. The Big Red won 25-18.
 
Another early run from Cornell created a steep hole for the Lions in the fourth set. The Lions were facing a 12-4 deficit. The Big Red's largest lead of the afternoon came after a 5-0 rally. Cornell led 18-7. The Lions put together a mini spurt of three straight points later in the set, but the margin was too much to overcome. Cornell won 25-16.
 
UP NEXT
Columbia hosts Yale on Friday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m.


FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia volleyball by following the Lions on Twitter(@CULionsVB), Instagram (@culionsvb) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).