NEW YORK -- The Lions opened up the 2024 season on Friday, playing two games in the Big Apple Tournament at Levien Gymnasium. Columbia earned its first victory of the campaign in the night game, defeating Manhattan in straight sets (25-18, 25-16, 25-23) behind a career-best effort from junior Julianna Williamson.
Earlier in the day, the Lions fell to Syracuse in straight sets (25-15, 25-15, 25-22).
GAME 1
The Lions squared off against ACC foe Syracuse to open the season Friday morning, and it was the Orange that got off to a hot start. The Lions found themselves down 10-4 in the first set before
Avery Jones smacked Columbia's first kill of the season.
Hailee Watts quickly followed with her first kill of the season, but the Lions just couldn't gain their footing in the opening set of the year. Columbia's only lead came after scoring the first point thanks to a Syracuse attack error, after which the Orange took control and won 25-15.
The Lions took an early lead in the second set thanks to kills from Watts, Amanda Holsen, Eva Atkins, and Harper Justema. After some back-and-forth volleys, Syracuse was able to take an 8-7 lead, which they built upon with several runs that Columbia was unable to match. The Lions remained within striking distance thanks to back-to-back blocks from Justema, which cut down Syracuse's lead to 19-15, but again it wouldn't be enough. The Orange closed out the set with a 6-0 run to steal another 25-15 win.
With their backs against the wall, the Lions came out in the third set with a ton of fight and took an early lead, with back-to-back kills from Atkins highlighting the run. After a blistering service ace from Williamson, the Lions found themselves up 15-10 and looked like they were on their way to forcing a fourth set. Unfortunately, despite the Lions taking their biggest lead at 18-12, the Orange were able to come from behind to seal the match with a 25-22 third-set win.
Atkins led the Lions with 10 kills. Watts contributed eight kills and five digs. Ruby van der Heide and Clara Yu racked up 13 and 16 assists respectively, with the former also contributing five digs. Presley Liberty made the start at libero and finished with seven digs.
GAME 2
Columbia jumped out to a 7-2 start against Manhattan in the first set, fueled by a combined block from Justema and Williamson on the first play of the game that electrified the crowd. First-year Charlotte Gravlee then recorded her first kill of the game on an assist from van der Heide, bringing the score to 9-3. Manhattan embarked on a 3-0 run that was shut down when Watts smacked a kill to regain momentum for Columbia. Another kill from Gravlee capped off a 4-0 Lions run that forced Manhattan to take a timeout. Consecutive service errors by Columbia and a timely run by the Jaspers allowed Manhattan to get the game to 20-16. Thanks to a lively, energetic crowd, the Lions were able to come away with a 25-18 victory in the first set capped off with a kill by Williamson.
Anna Gioranidi opened the second set for the Lions with her first kill of the game. The Lions held the lead throughout the entire set, with their lead growing as large as nine points. Manhattan was forced to take a timeout after multiple kills each from Williamson, Justema, and Gravilee brought the score to 12-7. Columbia remained in control, and Maria Happ ended the set with her first career kill to give the Lions a 25-16 win.
The third set began on different terms, as the two teams exchanged leads several times before the Jaspers went on a 5-1 run and took a 14-9 lead, causing Columbia to call a timeout. The Lions fought tooth and nail to tie up the game at 18-18, with Watts attaining three kills in a row in the process. A service ace from Delaney Seaman made the score 20-18 before Manhattan took a timeout to try and recover. Back-to-back service aces from Yu brought gave the Lions match point, but the Jaspers answered, cutting the lead back down to 24-23. Columbia called a timeout to settle down, and Williamson finished what was a wild volley with another kill giving the Lions their first win of the year.
Williamson collected a career-high nine kills and 14.5 points thanks to five total blocks and two aces. Watts recorded eight kills and five digs. Justema posted seven kills, four blocks, and an assist. In her second game, Gravlee had five kills and two blocks. Yu led the team with 17 assists and six digs in her second game.
The Lions will return to action Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in Levien against Fordham in the final game of the Big Apple Tournament.
For the latest on Columbia volleyball, follow @CULionsVB on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
