Volleyball Battles But Falls to Brown in Three

Friday, November 14

Providence, R.I.

6:00 PM

Columbia University

2-21,0-13Ivy League

Brown

14-8,9-4Ivy League

Columbia

Brown

11/14/2025 8:20:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Columbia gets emotional life from Kylee Eze, who records her first career kill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Columbia battled through extended rallies and a momentum-swinging second set, but the Lions fell 3–0 (16–25, 25–27, 22–25) to Brown on Friday night at the Pizzitola Sports Center.

Brown (14–8, 9–4 Ivy) controlled the opening frame, while Columbia (2–21, 0–13 Ivy) responded with one of its most competitive sets of conference play in the second, featuring 10 ties and seven lead changes before the Bears escaped late.

Columbia was led by Elena Maynulet, who delivered a team-high 11 kills and added five digs. Eva Atkins followed with seven kills, while Hanna Vorhies chipped in three kills and two blocks. The Lions ran a two-setter system, with Ruby van der Heide posting 18 assists and Clara Yu adding 10. Libero Presley Liberty anchored the defense with a match-high 15 digs. The 15 digs also match her career-high.

The Lions got a big emotional lift in the third set when junior Kylee Eze recorded her first two collegiate kills. Eze made her debut last weekend against Penn in her first career action. Tonight, she finished with two kills on seven attempts with three digs.

Brown was paced by Sophia Wolfson, who totaled 10 kills while hitting .500 and registering a match-best seven blocks. Fisayo Afonja added eight kills and three aces, and Ally Panzloff finished with nine kills. Setter Julia Kakkis guided the Bears with 29 assists, while Maddy Smith contributed six kills and three digs.

Columbia stayed within striking distance in the early going, pulling even once, but Brown quickly seized control and never relinquished the lead. The Lions generated quality swings but couldn't slow a steady Brown sideout rhythm as the Bears closed the frame on a decisive run.

The Lions delivered their strongest stretch of the night, trading points throughout a back-and-forth set that saw extended ties from the mid-teens onward. Columbia surged ahead multiple times, forcing Brown to play from behind, and the Lions' aggressive serving kept the set tight. After seven lead changes and a late Columbia push, Brown edged out the final two points to claim the marathon frame.

Columbia again pushed the Bears in the third, pulling even three different times and generating late pressure with a 3–0 spurt to close the gap. Brown answered with timely blocking in the final rallies, holding off the Lions' comeback bid to take the match.

Columbia wraps up its 2025 campaign tomorrow when it takes on Yale in New Haven, Conn. First serve between the Lions and Bulldogs is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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