NEW YORK -- The Columbia volleyball team continued its homestand on Saturday evening with an Ivy League contest against the Cornell Big Red at Levien Gymansium. After a back-and-forth first set, Cornell went on to sweep the Lions (25-22, 25-17, 25-11).

Charlotte Gravlee got things started for Columbia, smacking the first kill of the game to even up the first set at 1-1. Hailee Watts put on a clinic, smacking eight kills in the first set to help keep the Lions alive. After a service ace from Harper Justema, Cornell's lead was cut down to just one point at 21-20, but the Big Red would score four of the next six points to take the first set. 

Cornell kept its foot on the gas in the second set. After Columbia scored the first two points thanks to an ace from Delaney Seaman and block from Watts and Gravlee, The Big Red went on a 4-0 run and the Lions would not see the lead again. An attack error from Cornell led to a 9-9 tie, but the Big Red would go on another 4-0 run, and then cruise to a 25-17 win. The Lions never re-gained any momentum, and Cornell went on to sweep the match. 

Watts had a game-high 15 kills, while Maria Happ added five. Evie Naumann chipped in a career-high two kills. Clara Yu had a team-high 22 assists. 
 
The Lions close out their extended homestand next weekend with a game against Dartmouth on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and a game against Harvard on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. Friday will be Pride Night and Saturday will be First Responder Night. 

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