NEW YORK - The Columbia volleyball team wrapped up its 2024 season on Saturday evening against Brown at Levien Gymnasium. The Lions fell in three consecutive very competitive sets (25-21, 26-24, 25-23) to the Bears.
 
The Lions celebrated Senior Night, honoring Harper Justema, Anna Gioranidi, and Hailee Watts before the game. The Bears (11-13) arrived hoping to spoil Columbia's senior night, while the Lions hoped to spoil Brown's chance to clinch a spot in the Ivy League Tournament. 
 
Brown began the first set firmly in front, but in only three plays, Avery Jones recorded back-to-back blocks and a kill to tie up the game at 11-11 and put Columbia back in business. The Lions would go on to tie up the match several more times but never managed to take the lead.
 
After a 5-0 run from Brown put them up 10-4 in the second set, Columbia mounted a comeback. An emphatic block from Juliana Williamson brought the Lions within one point of tying the game. Brown's attempts to pull away were fiercely resisted, and the Lions finally took the lead at 21-20 after a 5-0 run punctuated by a kill from Gioranidi. Costly mistakes by Columbia put the Bears back in front, allowing them to pull away with the 26-24 set victory.
 
The third set flipped the script, as it was the Bears who mounted a comeback against the leading Lions. The Lions led 14-8 before a 6-2 Brown run shifted the momentum. Columbia's worst fears became real as Brown took the lead at 22-21 and ended the match. 
 
Watts, in her final game for the Lions, led the team with 12 kills. Eva Atkins added 11 kills. Gioranidi signed off with seven kills and 11 digs.
 
The Lions finish the season with a 4-19 overall record and one win in the Ivy League victory over a good Harvard team. 
 
Senior Salute:

• Watts finishes her career with 320 kills and 194 digs. Her senior season was highlighted by career bests across the board, most notably in those two categories as she collected 197 kills and 126 digs. 
• Justema ends her career with 260 kills and 134 blocks.
• Gioranidi leaves the Lions with 82 kills and 161 digs.

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