On Friday, September 29, Columbia’s Women’s Volleyball team lost to Harvard in straight sets. During the game, Bwog took great joy in discussing the highlights with their non-sports player friend.

Last Friday, the Columbia Lions (2–10, 0–3 Ivy) lost to the Harvard Crimson (9–3, 2–1 Ivy). While our team came into the gym energetically, throwing mini volleyballs into the crowd, they had trouble adjusting to Harvard’s strong serves at the beginning of the first set. They lost 15–25. The second set had a closer score of 21–25. The third set was the most riveting, with a tight score the whole match. At one point, the Lions were up 24–23: game point. The crowd cheered heavily, pounding their feet against the bleachers. However, after a few kills from Harvard and a hit out of bounds by Columbia, the Lions lost 26–28. 

I forced my friend (codename: Bell) to come with me, and Bell had extremely accurate impressions of the team despite having no volleyball experience:

• When the liberos, defense specialists in a different colored jersey, switched between the first and second set: “Oh, there’s two of those guys! The linebackers!”
• After seeing a player dive on the floor: “I think I would’ve died after that.”
• During the crowd’s foot pounding: “It’s so intense right now. I’m too scared to even scream.”
• After seeing an incredible hit from the Harvard outside hitter: *Fangirls and stalks the Harvard roster, ultimately finding her Instagram*

I also had some commentary to add, as a completely knowledgeable high-school varsity setter (who sat on the bench a majority of the time):

• I thought that bench players yelling during the opponent’s serves to distract them was a high school antic. I guess that it continues in college!
• Middle hitters Juliana Williamson (CC ’26) and Soah Franklin (CC ’24) had outstanding blocks in very clutch moments of the game. Whenever they shut down a Harvard hitter, the momentum of the team would shift and the Lions would start to rack up points.
• I forgot the Ivy League was a real sports league.
• Favorite animation on the screen: the letters S-N-E-A-K-Y appearing with a lion mascot who was NOT Roar-ree.
• Where is our school spirit? I saw more crimson shirts in the crowd than people in our student section.

Speaking of that last point, come support the women’s volleyball team at their upcoming games next weekend. The Lions play Brown on October 6 at 7 pm and Yale on October 7 at 5 pm, both in Levien Gymnasium. Whether you’re a sports-goer or a non-sports goer, you’ll be sure to enjoy it. Plus, the team could use more people screaming during the opposing team’s serves.

Libero via Bwog Archives