Friday, September 4
New York, N.Y.
11:00 AM
Columbia
vs
FDU
Volleyball Hosts Big Apple Tournament to Begin 2026 Season
9/3/2026 12:16:00 PM | Volleyball
Columbia opens its season Friday against FDU and Iona
NEW YORK - The Columbia volleyball program begins its 2026 season on Friday morning, beginning the Big Apple Tournament with a non-conference clash against FDU at 11 a.m. The Lions will double dip and host Iona in the nightcap, that match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. first serve.
The Lions are hosting a tournament at Levien Gymnasium for the 18th consecutive season, with Lafayette, Iona, and FDU all participating this weekend.
All fans who plan to attend any of the six matches will need to use the entrance to Levien Gymnasium on 120th Street.
FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
The six match tournament will be split over two days. After the Lions kick off the tournament on Friday morning, the tournament resumes with Iona battling the Leopards. The first day wraps up with Columbia taking on the Gaels at 7 p.m.
Saturday's tripleheader begins when FDU takes on Lafayette at 11 a.m. The Knights will then take on Iona at 3:30 p.m. The tournament concludes when Columbia takes on Lafayette at 6 p.m. In total, six matches played between Friday and Saturday, all of which will be streamed via ESPN+, and live stats will be available HERE. The full schedule can be found below.
Friday, September 4: Columbia vs. FDU (11 a.m.) - STREAM
Friday, September 4: Iona vs. Lafayette (1:30 p.m.) - STREAM
Friday, September 4: Columbia vs. Iona (5 p.m.) - STREAM
Saturday, September 5: FDU vs. Lafayette (11 a.m.) - STREAM
Saturday, September 5: Iona vs. FDU (3:30 p.m.) - STREAM
Saturday, September 5: Columbia vs. Lafayette (6:00 p.m.) - STREAM
STRONG SPRING
2025 wasn't kind to the Lions. Columbia finished the year 2-22 and was 0-14 in Ivy League play. However, Columbia did have an impressive spring slate, according to fifth-year head coach Patric Santiago. More on the offseason HERE.
NEW FACES
Columbia welcomed a big class for 2026. Seven new Lions are coming from five different states, plus one player from Canada. Three attacking players, two middle blockers, a defensive specialist and a setter make up the class of 2030.
"Not only is this group big, but it is loaded with talent, and they are hungry to pursue some very big goals," said Santiago. "This group has given us the sense that they are ready to dive in headfirst, helping us continue developing our culture into one that is ready to see success at Morningside Heights. They are focused, driven, and most of all great teammates. We can't wait to work with them and our whole group, who is coming off our most successful spring and is equally hungry. We are excited to see all they will do at Columbia and beyond."
You can read more about the newcomers and what Coach Santiago said about each player by clicking HERE.
COMING BACK
The Lions took a hit to their attack with 43 percent of their attack graduating from last year's squad. However, the Lions do return a lot of firepower from 2025, including sophomore Elena Maynulet. Maynulet led the Lions in kills (235), service aces (27), and digs (185). At the net, the Lions welcome back Maria Happ and Charlotte Gravlee, who combined to record 94 of the Lions' 169.5 total blocks. Avery Jones is also back for Columbia; she set career bests in kills and blocks playing outside. Clara Yu is the Lions' top returning setter; she finished second on the team with 277 assists, averaging 4.33 assists per set last season. In the back, Delaney Seaman is expected to help the Lions' defense. Seaman led the Lions with 2.42 digs per set in 59 sets played in 2025.
OPPONENT INFO
Rosters, Schedules, and Stats for all the opposing teams can be found below.
Iona: Roster, Schedule, Stats
FDU: Roster, Schedule, Stats
Lafayette: Roster, Schedule, Stats
ON DECK
Columbia heads out on the road following the Big Apple Tournament, playing nine contests away from the friendly confines. The stretch begins with three contests at the Laker Invitational Sept. 11-12 in Erie, Pa. The Lions will take on tournament host Mercyhurst, as well as Niagara and Kent State.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
For the latest on Columbia volleyball, follow @CULionsVB on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
The Lions are hosting a tournament at Levien Gymnasium for the 18th consecutive season, with Lafayette, Iona, and FDU all participating this weekend.
All fans who plan to attend any of the six matches will need to use the entrance to Levien Gymnasium on 120th Street.
FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
The six match tournament will be split over two days. After the Lions kick off the tournament on Friday morning, the tournament resumes with Iona battling the Leopards. The first day wraps up with Columbia taking on the Gaels at 7 p.m.
Saturday's tripleheader begins when FDU takes on Lafayette at 11 a.m. The Knights will then take on Iona at 3:30 p.m. The tournament concludes when Columbia takes on Lafayette at 6 p.m. In total, six matches played between Friday and Saturday, all of which will be streamed via ESPN+, and live stats will be available HERE. The full schedule can be found below.
Friday, September 4: Columbia vs. FDU (11 a.m.) - STREAM
Friday, September 4: Iona vs. Lafayette (1:30 p.m.) - STREAM
Friday, September 4: Columbia vs. Iona (5 p.m.) - STREAM
Saturday, September 5: FDU vs. Lafayette (11 a.m.) - STREAM
Saturday, September 5: Iona vs. FDU (3:30 p.m.) - STREAM
Saturday, September 5: Columbia vs. Lafayette (6:00 p.m.) - STREAM
STRONG SPRING
2025 wasn't kind to the Lions. Columbia finished the year 2-22 and was 0-14 in Ivy League play. However, Columbia did have an impressive spring slate, according to fifth-year head coach Patric Santiago. More on the offseason HERE.
NEW FACES
Columbia welcomed a big class for 2026. Seven new Lions are coming from five different states, plus one player from Canada. Three attacking players, two middle blockers, a defensive specialist and a setter make up the class of 2030.
"Not only is this group big, but it is loaded with talent, and they are hungry to pursue some very big goals," said Santiago. "This group has given us the sense that they are ready to dive in headfirst, helping us continue developing our culture into one that is ready to see success at Morningside Heights. They are focused, driven, and most of all great teammates. We can't wait to work with them and our whole group, who is coming off our most successful spring and is equally hungry. We are excited to see all they will do at Columbia and beyond."
You can read more about the newcomers and what Coach Santiago said about each player by clicking HERE.
COMING BACK
The Lions took a hit to their attack with 43 percent of their attack graduating from last year's squad. However, the Lions do return a lot of firepower from 2025, including sophomore Elena Maynulet. Maynulet led the Lions in kills (235), service aces (27), and digs (185). At the net, the Lions welcome back Maria Happ and Charlotte Gravlee, who combined to record 94 of the Lions' 169.5 total blocks. Avery Jones is also back for Columbia; she set career bests in kills and blocks playing outside. Clara Yu is the Lions' top returning setter; she finished second on the team with 277 assists, averaging 4.33 assists per set last season. In the back, Delaney Seaman is expected to help the Lions' defense. Seaman led the Lions with 2.42 digs per set in 59 sets played in 2025.
OPPONENT INFO
Rosters, Schedules, and Stats for all the opposing teams can be found below.
Iona: Roster, Schedule, Stats
FDU: Roster, Schedule, Stats
Lafayette: Roster, Schedule, Stats
ON DECK
Columbia heads out on the road following the Big Apple Tournament, playing nine contests away from the friendly confines. The stretch begins with three contests at the Laker Invitational Sept. 11-12 in Erie, Pa. The Lions will take on tournament host Mercyhurst, as well as Niagara and Kent State.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
For the latest on Columbia volleyball, follow @CULionsVB on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OPP
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
DS/S
/ Volleyball
S
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