CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard women's volleyball (8-4, 3-0 Ivy) dropped Cornell (8-4, 2-1 Ivy), 3-1, this evening to remain undefeated in Ivy League action. 
 
With the victory the Crimson improve to 3-0 in league play, marking its best start since the 2017 season. 

How it Happened

The Crimson used the opening points to create a handful of two-point leads before a 4-0 Cornell run gave the foes their first advantage of the night.  Despite constant pressure from Harvard, the Big Red were able to hold control for the remainder of the set.  After holding off any late set pushes, Cornell closed out the opening frame, 25-15. 
 
The Big Red carried its momentum into the second, pulling ahead early with a 6-2 advantage.  Harvard began to shift the momentum midway through the set, tying the frame at eight-all following a Teia Piette service ace.  The two squads proceeded to share time with the lead before the Crimson used a 4-0 run to create its own two-point advantage.  Harvard continued to build its strength throughout the late points, growing its lead and evening the match with a 25-20 decision. 
 
Cornell shifted the match back in its favor to begin the third set, building a 7-3 cushion.  On the back of a dominant 9-1 scoring run, Harvard overtook control midway through, creating a 12-8 margin.  The Crimson never let up, continuing to control the remainder of the set and growing its lead out to as many as 10.  Ultimately, Harvard put up a 25-16 decision to move up 2-1 heading into the fourth. 
 
Harvard continued its scoring ways into the next frame, recording a three-point lead through the early points.  Showing its fight, the Big Red closed the deficit, and the two teams began a back-and-forth battle.  The foes tied eight times throughout the middle portion of the set before a 4-0 Crimson scoring run broke open the frame.  Harvard remained ahead and ultimately fended off a final Big Red push, solidifying the set at 26-24.

Harvard Highlights

• Ryleigh Patterson had another strong night, adding 11 kills along with 3.5 total blocks and seven digs.
• Brynne Faltinsky once again led the team in kills, adding 14 kills as well as an ace, 1.5 total blocks and four digs.  
• Rocky Aguirre posted six kills with a .545 hitting percentage, 33 assists, and eight digs.  
• Teia Piette provided strong serving for the Crimson by recording three service aces.

Next Up

The Crimson will hit the road next weekend for another conference back-to-back, facing off against Princeton and Penn on Friday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 12 at 5:00 p.m., respectively.