Yale Shuts Out Columbia Volleyball in Three Games

Columbia’s volleyball team went to New Haven this season with a list of grievances. For starters, the Lions had not had a win against an Ivy League opponent so far this season—none since October 27, 2006, in fact. Secondly, the squad has been in a losing slump for the month of October. Finally, they had suffered far too many shutouts this season, held scoreless in nine of their 17 matches. The squad traveled to Yale this weekend, intent on reversing their luck—unfortunately, the team returned home with yet another bullet point for their list.

Yale swept Columbia on Saturday in three games—30-19, 30-24, 30-22—to improve to 11-5 while the Lions fell even deeper into last place with a 3-15 overall record, 0-7 in the Ivies.

The Lions began the afternoon with the determination they needed if they were planning to upset the Ivy League’s second-place Bulldogs. Columbia held with Yale point for point before taking an 8-5 lead in the first game. But the advantage did not last long for the visiting squad. Suddenly the Bulldogs scored eight of the next nine points to take a 13-9 lead, forcing the Lions to take a time-out to collect themselves. The deficit was too much to overcome, though, and Yale glided to a 30-19 finish in game one.

Columbia outside hitter Cassie Ligh threw down a kill to tie the second game at nine apiece. Once again, just when the Lions felt they had finally gotten a hold on the game, the Bulldogs let loose an avalanche. 13-10 became 18-11, and Yale finished the Lions off in game two, 30-24.

Yale began with another slow-building attack in the third game, letting the Lions get within three early on. But the 9-6 advantage was all the Bulldogs needed to put their guests away for the match. Columbia put up their best effort, down 21-15 late, but the Bulldogs took the third game without much anxiety. The home match and a fifth Ivy victory belonged to Yale.

Junior Amalia Viti led the Columbia squad with 11 kills. Ligh recorded a team high of 16 digs.

Columbia hosts Penn and Princeton this Friday and Saturday, respectively.