NEW YORK -- The Columbia volleyball team was defeated by the Dartmouth Big Green (22-25, 25-14, 18-25, 25-19, 15-6) on Saturday evening at Levien Gymnasium in a five-set thriller.
The Lions came out hot in the first set, taking an 18-12 lead on the back of a 7-0 run capped by an awesome block from Ruby van der Heide and Juliana Williamson. The Big Green would not go away, slowly chipping away at the Columbia lead and eventually cutting it to just 23-22. A block from Soah Franklin would make it set point in favor of the Lions, and Williamson would put the finishing touches on a first set win for Columbia with her first kill of the match.
Dartmouth bounced back in the second set, coasting to a 25-14 victory and putting the pressure back on the Lions. Columbia would answer by coming out strong in set three and taking a quick 14-8 lead. Once again the Big Green wouldn't back down, and fought back into the set by trimming the Lions' lead to 20-17. Hailee Watts then sparked a 4-0 run with a beautiful kill from the right side to give the Lions another set point. Eva Atkins would capitalize on the opportunity, smashing a kill from the middle to give the Lions a 2-1 lead in the match.
Once again, when it looked like Columbia was in control, Dartmouth would have an answer. The Lions took a quick 6-5 lead in the fourth set, but the Big Green took the lead on a Kauany Gutz kill, and wouldn't;t relinquish it the rest of the way. In fact, the Lions would not lead the rest of the match as Dartmouth opened the fifth and final set on a 5-0 run, and the Lions could never really find their footing in the deciding game. The Big Green clinched a 3-2 win on a kill from Amelia Gibbs.
Watts had a team-high 13 kills, leading the Lions offense. Atkins and Logan Harlock both chipped in eight kills. Van der Heide collected a season-high 30 assists, and tallied her first double-double of the season with 11 digs. Delaney Seaman totaled 15 digs and matched her career high of three service aces.
The Lions continue Ivy League play at home next weekend against Brown on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Yale on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
ON THE HORIZON
Next Friday's match against Brown will be "Dig Pink" and the Lions will be playing in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. To learn more about Dig Pink and the Side Out Foundation, please click HERE.
Columbia Volleyball kicks off Mental Health Awareness Week this Saturday, and next Saturday's match against Yale to conclude the week will be known as a "Mental Health Awareness" match, where the Lions will be supporting mental health organizations.
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.
