NEW YORK, N.Y. – Harvard women's volleyball (3-8, 2-1 Ivy) completed its first back-to-back weekend this evening by dominating Columbia (2-11, 0-3 Ivy), 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-17).
How it Happened
Neither team could gain momentum to begin the match as no lead grew larger than three. After the Crimson tied the contest at 11-all, it exploded past the home team, scoring 14 of the final 19 points. Harvard eventually won the opening set, 25-16, as it was fueled by an 8-1 set ending run.
The Crimson continued its hot play in the second set, running out to an 11-5 lead. The Lions, however, settled in, pulling within one at 11-10 and then later pulling in front with a 16-14 advantage. Harvard never allowed Columbia's lead to go past two, remaining in the set and then narrowly securing the victory, 25-23.
Columbia secured the first three advantages of the final frame, but a 7-1 run gave Harvard the first significant lead at 9-4. Harvard continued to pull further ahead throughout the frame, leading by as many as ten. Although the Lions fought off three match points, the Crimson ultimately secured its second Ivy victory with a decisive 25-17 third set win.
Harvard Highlights
- Sofia Rossi had another strong showing, leading the team with 11 kills while hitting at a .286 clip.
- Ryleigh Patterson provided an all-around performance in her second contest back, recording eight kills with a .429 hitting percentage, three aces, and three blocks to lead Harvard with 12.5 points.
- Ali Farquhar recorded seven kills in the contest including the game-solidifying slam in the third set.
- Taylor Larkin was all over the court for the Crimson, recording five kills with zero errors for a .500 hitting percentage and a team-best five blocks.
- Harvard recorded its third-best hitting percentage while it hit at a .302 clip against the Lions.
- The Crimson is now 50-23 against the Lions, having defeated Columbia four times in the last five matchups.
Next Up
The Crimson will return home next weekend to face Penn on Friday, October 10 at 7:00 p.m. ET and Princeton on Saturday, October 11 at 6:00 p.m. ET. Each matchup will be played inside the Malkin Athletic Center and be broadcast on ESPN+.
