CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The Columbia volleyball team continued its road trip to begin conference play on Friday night, traveling to Cambridge to take on the Harvard Crimson. In three sets, it was the Crimson emerging victorious (25-22, 25-21, 25-15).

The Lions took control of each set early, but were unable to close out any of the three. The first set began with Eva Atkins in firm control, smacking three kills on the first four rallies. The Crimson slowly fought back, eventually using a 5-0 run to take a 20-16 lead. Juliana Williamson and Harper Justema drilled back-to-back kills to cut the deficit to just two points, but Harvard hung on to win the set 25-22 after a kill from Bennett Trubey. 

The second set began similarly to the first, with Atkins crushing two kills, Delaney Seman serving an ace, Maria Happ picking up a kill. and the Lions taking an early lead. Once again, the Crimson struck back quickly, this time taking a 20-15 lead. This time, Columbia would not go down without a fight, as Williamson sparked a 6-0 run with a monster kill to give the Lions a 21-20 lead. However, Harvard would score the next five points to win the set and take a 2-0 lead in the match. 

Atkins began set three with another kill, but the Crimson once again had an answer. With the score 12-10 in favor of Columbia, Harvard went on an 8-0 run to take a six point lead. For the second straight set, the Crimson closed on a 5-0 run to secure the sweep. 

Atkins led the Lions with a match-high 12 kills. Ruby van der Heide dished out a team-high 24 assists. Seaman collected 10 digs. 

Columbia takes on Dartmouth tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.