ITHACA, N.Y. – Harvard women's volleyball (10-8, 5-4 Ivy) dropped Cornell (11-7, 5-4 Ivy), 3-0, this evening to sweep the Big Red for the first time in nearly a decade.
On the back of 12
Brynne Faltinsky kills and 10 total team blocks, the Crimson dropped Cornell in straight sets picking up its second win over the foe in a single season for the first time since the 2015 season.
How it Happened
While the Big Red were able to take an early 3-1, a Crimson 3-0 run to follow, would give Harvard a lead that it would never again relinquish. Throughout the middle portion of the set, the Crimson continued to grow out its lead to as many as seven at 14-7. Cornell was able to utilize a 4-0 scoring run to shrink the deficit but with each Big Red attack, Harvard responded. Following a timeout, a pair of Crimson kills in the final four points were able to hold off Cornell and solidify the set at 25-23.
Determined to even the match, Cornell broke out to several early leads to open the second frame. Following a back-and-forth affair, the Crimson capitalized with a 4-0 lead to create a 15-11 advantage and regain all momentum. The Big Red continued to battle, including overtaking the lead at 18-19. Ultimately, following a 21-21 tie, Harvard used a pair of kills and a service ace to aid a 4-0 set closing scoring run.
With authority, the Crimson carried its momentum into the final set, scoring eight of the first nine points recorded. While the Big Red regrouped, Harvard was still able to hold a multipoint advantage through a majority of the set. Eventually, Cornell pulled within one at 18-17 but the Crimson would go on to record seven of the final eight points, including the final two points from kills by
Ryleigh Patterson and
Rocky Aguirre. The third frame proved to be the most dominant set of the match as the Crimson closed with a 25-18 decision.
Harvard Highlights
- With the victory, Harvard successfully swept the Big Red for the first time since the 2015 season. Following a pair of winds this season, the Crimson lessen the deficit in the all-time series to 31-43.
- Coming off an Ivy League Player of the Week award this week, Brynne Faltinsky continued to lead the Crimson tonight, registering 12 kills while hitting .280.
- Ryleigh Patterson contributed five kills while hitting .400, two digs, and 1.5 blocks on the night.
- Bennett Trubey led the way on the defensive end, registering a team-high four total blocks to contribute to the teams 10.
- Corinne Furey had a strong night, adding eight kills with a .208 hitting percentage and a pair of block assists.
- Rocky Aguirre posted a perfect hitting percentage while registering three kills in addition to a team-best 24 digs and seven digs.
Next Up
The Crimson will look to extend its winning streak to three tomorrow evening as it takes on Columbia at 6:00 p.m. ET in New York City, N.Y. and on ESPN+.
