NEW YORK — Columbia volleyball showed grit and energy throughout the night, keeping each set tight before falling to Brown, 25–22, 25–19, 25–19, on Friday evening at Levien Gymnasium. The Lions delivered one of their strongest serving performances of Ivy League play, totaling seven aces, while also playing strong defense at the net to push the Bears. 

Senior Eva Atkins paced Columbia with eight kills, hitting .200 on 20 swings while adding a block assist. Sophomore Charlotte Gravlee turned in one of her most efficient outings of the season, hitting .545 with six kills and an ace, while Elena Maynulet contributed six kills and four digs. Setters Ruby van der Heide and Clara Yu orchestrated the attack with 13 assists apiece.

In the opening set, Columbia (2-13, 0-5 Ivy) came out firing, jumping out to an early lead and trading points through five ties in the opening frame. Lauren Farris' aggressive serving produced two of Columbia's five aces in the set, and Gravlee's kills on the right pin kept the Lions within striking distance. Brown (8-6, 3-2 Ivy) used a late surge to close out the frame, but Columbia's early energy set the tone for a competitive night.

The Lions continued to battle behind Atkins, who notched multiple kills in a strong second set, and Williamson, who added two of her own from the middle. Yu and van der Heide spread the offense effectively, while Maynulet's ace capped a Columbia rally that pulled the Lions within four, 17–13. Brown's efficient attack helped the Bears close the set on a service ace from Hanna Flannery and a kill by Mariia Sidorova. 

In the third and final set, Columbia kept the third frame tight from start to finish, tying the set eight times and pulling even at 16–16 after kills from Atkins and Gravlee. Avery Jones came off the bench to notch her first collegiate kill, and the Lions' defense—led by Delaney Seaman's six digs and strong back-row coverage from Farris—continued to pressure Brown. The Bears managed to close on a late run to secure the sweep, but Columbia's energy and balance showed through in the final frame.

Brown finished the night hitting .264 as a team, and six players recorded three or more kills. Sidorova led the Bears with 13 kills. Julia Kakkis led Brown with 27 assists, and Jesse Golden finished with a match-high 14 digs. 

Columbia returns to action next Friday when they travel to Philadelphia to take on Penn. The first serve between the Lions and Quakers is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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