NEW YORK -- The Columbia volleyball team squared off against Brown at Levien Gymnasium Friday night for the Lions' annual "Dig Pink" match in support of the Side Out Foundation and breast cancer awareness. The Bears emerged victorious in the bout, winning the match in straight sets (25-14, 25-14, 25-14).

The first set got off to a less-than-ideal start for the Lions, as they quickly went down 6-1 before having to burn a timeout. Columbia fired back with a 3-0 run fueled by a kill from Hailee Watts and an assertive block from Soah Franklin, but the Lions couldn't halt Brown's momentum in the opening set. The Bears went on to win the first game, 25-14.

The second set saw Levien Gymnasium raise the noise level in a valiant effort from the Columbia faithful to get the Lions back in the game. The Lions kept the set tied at several points early on, but Brown took the lead back and ran away with it to go up 15-9 heading into the first media timeout. Out of the break, the Bears scored two consecutive points which caused Columbia to then use one of their own timeouts. However, the two timeouts could not create the spark needed for the Lions to come back in the set, and Brown took the second game by the same score as the first, 25-14.

The Lions had a better start to the third set, as a block from Juliana Williamson and Eva Atkins got the crowd on their feet and cut the deficit to just 9-8, but that is as close as Columbia would get. Brown was ready to end the night early, once again finishing the job by a score of 25-14, in the third set to take the match.

Atkins and Watts led the Lions with six kills each. Delaney Seaman ended the night with 5 digs. Cadence Gronski collected 12 assists. Soah Franklin tallied four total blocks.

The Lions will conclude their homestand tomorrow against Yale at 5:00 p.m. in Levien. 


INITIATIVES
Tonight's Dig Pink match the Lions were supporting the Side Out Foundation and breast cancer awareness. Funds raised went towards research specifically for patients with metastatic breast cancer, the most advanced form of the disease. Click HERE to donate or to learn more about the Side Out Foundation. 

Columbia Volleyball concludes Mental Health Awareness Week tomorrow, with the match against Yale deemed the Lions' "Mental Health Awareness" match. Columbia will be supporting the Hilinski's Hope Foundation (H3H). This foundation was founded in 2018 by Mark and Kym Hilinski to honor the life of their son Tyler, who died by suicide yet never showed any signs of depression or struggle. To all those struggling, you don't have to walk alone or suffer in silence. We look towards a future free from mental health stigma, because each and every one of us has mental health, and mental health matters. To donate, or learn more about the Hilinski's Hope Foundation, click HERE.

Columbia Giving Day is set for October 25. To donate, click HERE. 

For the latest on Columbia volleyball, follow @CULionsVB on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.