Columbia University
Fordham
Volleyball Begins 2023 Season on Friday with Tournament at Levien
8/31/2023 4:30:00 PM | Volleyball
Lions will take on Fordham at 7:00 p.m. to kick off the year
FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
The tournament begins on Friday at 4:00 p.m. with a neutral match between Virginia and Quinnipiac prior to Columbia's home opener later in the night. In total, there will be five matches played between Friday and Saturday. All five matches will be streamed via ESPN+ and live stats will be available HERE. The full schedule can be found below.
Friday, September 1: Quinnipiac vs. Virginia (4:00 p.m.) - STREAM
Friday, September 1: Columbia vs. Fordham (7:00 p.m.) - STREAM
Saturday, September 2: Columbia vs. Virginia (Noon) - STREAM
Saturday, September 2: Fordham vs. Quinnipiac (3:00 p.m.) - STREAM
Saturday, September 2: Columbia vs. Quinnipiac (7:00 p.m.) - STREAM
YEAR NUMBER 2
The Columbia volleyball program will embark on its second full season under the leadership of Head Coach Patric Santiago and his staff on Friday evening, as the Lions look to defy expectations and improve upon last year's results.
"Last year we learned that we need to be a little more comfortable," Santiago said. "We need to learn how to find our exhale, and be able to compete together in order to take the next step. We laid a great ground work in our first season of what our culture should be, what it means to play here, and what our core values are. Now we need to cement that, and if we do I think we will be able to surprise some people."
Columbia is coming off a 2022 season in which they finished 6-17, and 3-11 in Ivy League play. The Lions finished seventh in the conference last year, and that is where they have been picked to finish once again in the 2023 Ivy League Preseason Poll.
"All eight teams in the Ivy League are exceptionally well coached," Santiago said. "Even though we were picked seventh out of eight which is lower than where we want to be, we have a realistic perspective that no games have been played yet and preseason rankings aren't the end all be all. We just have to invest in our process and take care of what we can take care of, and let the results speak for themselves. We understand that every single team in this league is talented, and nothing will come easy."
The full results of the preseason poll can be found HERE.
NEW FACES
Columbia welcomed five newcomers to the squad ahead of the 2023 season. This includes Madison Hsieh, Evie Naumann, Delaney Seaman, Avery Jones, and Kylee Eze,
"It has been so exciting to see these first-years come in and really have the intent and hunger to move this program forward," Santiago said. "They've come in ready to work and willing to work hard, and I think this is a talented class that can really help our program."
Be on the look out for all five first-years to see game action and make an impact at some point this season.
For more on the entire class, and what they will be bringing to the team, click HERE.
BIG SHOES TO FILL
The Lions have a very strong group of returners for the 2023 season, but they will have some massive shoes to fill. Saj McBurrows. Kiara Robichaud, and Pierce Woodall were all top-three on the team in kills last season, and all were lost to graduation following the 2022 season. Also graduating was Vanessa Pan, and with that the Lions lost their primary libero as well as their team-leader in digs and service aces.
Santiago has more than enough faith that his returning group will be able to step up when called upon.
The Lions are lucky to have their primary setter from last season return in Ruby van der Heide, who finished sixth in the Ivy League last season, and first on Columbia, in assists with 452, while adding 121 digs and 15 aces. Santiago expects van der Heide, along with Cadence Gronski and Annabel Happ to receive significant setter reps this season, and sometimes see the floor simultaneously.
Lauren Cho and Yooni Park will be the duo tasked with filling the shoes left behind by star Libero Vanessa Pan, but Santiago fully believes both have the ability to do so. Both are rising seniors have spent three years with the program and know know the system very well. The duo has combined for 201 digs and 40 service aces in their careers. You can also expect first year Delaney Seaman to see some time at libero this year.
Soah Franklin, Harper Justema, and Maria Milisa will spend a majority of the time patrolling the middle of the court, a group that Santiago expects to have a major impact this season. Franklin did not see any action last season due to injury, but was one of the most impactful players on the court for Columbia in 2019 and 2021. She boasts career totals of 164 kills and 132 blocks, and will be a huge presence for Columbia returning this season to join the reliable pair of upperclassmen Justema and Milisa in the middle.
On the outside, Santiago expects huge seasons out of his hitters including the likes of Anna Gioranidi, Amanda Holsen, Hailee Watts, and Avery Jones. It is unfair to expect them to replicate the 440 vacated kills from the loss of McBurrows, Robichaud, and Woodall, but Santiago believes it is certainly obtainable.
"Whether you are a first-year or senior, all 22 student-athletes on this team will have an important role," Santiago said. "Every single person will be asked to step up in a variety of different roles in order for us to become the very best team we can be. Every member of this team is very capable of making an impact, and I am excited to see what they can do."
ON DECK
Columbia will hit the road for the first time this season on Wednesday, September 6, traveling to take on Stony Brook University, with first serve is set for 6:30 p.m. The Lions will return to Levien Gymnasium next weekend and host their second tournament of the season. Morgan State, Rutgers, and Manhattan will be participating, and Columbia will square off against each school between Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9.
HOW TO FOLLOW
All Columbia home games, and every Ivy League game, will be streamed via ESPN+. You can find tomorrow's game HERE.
Live stats will be available via gocolumbialions.com, HERE.
In-game updates will be provided on both Twitter and Instagram.
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsVB on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
