NEW YORK -- It was an exciting atmosphere inside Levien Gymnasium on Friday night, as the Columbia volleyball team earned its first victory of the 2023 campaign over the Manhattan Jaspers. In the first of three games for the Lions this weekend, Columbia took down the Jaspers in four sets (27-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-13) to improve to 1-4 on the season.
The Jaspers got out to an early lead in the opening set but the Lions kept it close, eventually gaining a 12-9 advantage thanks to three straight service aces from
Ruby van der Heide. From there, the set went back and forth with multiple lead changes and momentum swings.
Amanda Holsen and
Hailee Watts helped carry the Lions during that stretch, smacking huge kills along the way. Columbia was able to fend off multiple Manhattan set points as a thrilling first set finally concluded on a Holsen service ace with a final score of 27-25 in favor of Columbia.
The second set was more of the same as the two teams traded blows and nobody could pull away for much of the game. Back-to-back big kills from Holsen and Watts gave the Lions a 15-14 lead and momentum heading into the media timeout. Neither team led by more than two until yet another kill from Holsen put the Lions up 19-17. However, the Jaspers stormed back and used a 9-4 run to take the second set 25-22.
The third set was again tight and the score remained close throughout.
Soah Franklin and
Eva Atkins combined for a huge block to give the Lions an 11-9 lead and got the crowd off their feet. Just a few points later, Atkins combined with
Maria Milisa for another big block, pushing the Columbia lead to 15-11. Manhattan would later cut the lead to two points at 24-22 but the Lions did not let up and sealed the set on an
Eva Atkins kill to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
The Lions really hit their stride in the fourth set, pulling out to a 12-5 lead on a Milisa and Watts combined block. Columbia never looked back and dominated the game, with kills coming from up and down the roster in the fourth set as it seemed the Lions could do no wrong. Fittingly, it was Milisa, who had a huge night, that sealed the victory and put Columbia in the win column with a big kill to finish it. The set finished 25-13.
It was a night of career bests for the Lions. Milisa posted a career-high 8 total blocks to go along with her 3 kills. Holsen led the way in kills for the Lions with a career-best 15. The sophomore from Hawthorn Woods, Illinois also had 2 service aces and 8 digs. Watts also had a big night with a career-high 13 kills, 2 service aces, and 4 blocks.
The Lions led the Jaspers in most statistical categories throughout the match. Columbia had more assists (46-38), a higher hitting percentage (.287%-.136%), and more total blocks (13-3). Overall, it was a convincing victory for the Lions and a great start to this weekend's tournament.
Columbia will return to action Saturday at 11:00 a.m., facing the Morgan State Bears (2-7) in both teams' second game of the tournament. The Lions will then face Rutgers at 6:30 p.m. in the final game of the tournament. Rutgers defeated Morgan State in straight sets earlier on Friday.
For the latest on Columbia volleyball, follow @CULionsVB on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
