ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell volleyball celebrated 50 years with a 3-1 victory over Penn on Friday, November 11. The Big Red attack was led by senior outside hitter
Joanna Chang who tallied a career-high 20 kills in the match, while she tallied a .405 hitting percentage.
Set one opened with plenty of back-and-forth play. The Big Red began to separate themselves with a 4-0 run from tailing 11-10 to leading 14-11. Penn clawed back to knot the set at 16, 17, and 18. Penn pulled out to a 20-19 lead, forcing a Cornell timeout. Penn tallied the first score out of the break, but Cornell fought for a 3-0 run to trail 22-21 and force a Penn timeout. The Big Red powered through a long 22-23 rally to secure a tied set at 23 off a block from sophomore
Camryn Carlo. Penn called its final timeout of the set, Carlo could not be stopped, following up her block with a quick kill. Penn forced extra points at 24-24 and 25-25, but a kill and block by junior
Sydney Moore was the difference in set one, with the Big Red closing out 27-25.
Cornell dominated the opening of set two, leading by as many as 13 at 19-6. The Big Red continued the slaughter, going on to win the set 25-7, the fewest points allowed in a set by the Big Red all season. Cornell clocked a .435 hitting percentage in the set, while tallying just one error.
Cornell held all the momentum into set three, leading by six at 9-3. Penn fell into a pace, keeping the Big Red from stretching the lead by more than six. Penn climbed back to trail by one at 11-10, and eventually take the lead at 19-18. The Big Red battled to lead 24-23, but the Quakers put together a 3-0 run to take set three 26-24.
Penn and the Big Red were back to close play in set four. The Quakers pulled out to a 7-6 lead, but a 9-3 Cornell run forced a Penn timeout as the Red began to pull away at 15-10. Cornell continued to build its lead, going on to win the set by nine at 25-16.
UP NEXT
The Big Red will wrap up the 2022 season at home tomorrow, Saturday, November 12, when it takes on Princeton for senior day. First serve is set for 5 p.m. in Newman Arena at Bartels Hall. For fans at home, the match will be available to stream at home via ESPN+.