New York, N.Y. – The Fordham volleyball team saw a two-match win streak snapped at Columbia on Thursday night, falling to the Lions in four sets, 25-21, 30-28, 20-25, 25-18. With the loss, the Rams fall to 7-4 overall, while the Lions improve to 5-2.
"It was a unique experience to face a player like Chi Chi [Ikwuazom]. She had some high-level kills and it was a great opportunity for us to face an attacker of her caliber," Head coach
Ian Choi said, "Certainly a good learning experience for us as a young team, hoping to layer our knowledge of the game off of this experience. We're looking to bounce back tomorrow against LIU."
McKenna Lahr led the way on offense with 13 kills, adding 15 digs, three aces, and three blocks.
Olivia Fairchild contributed 11 kills at a team-high .290 clip, while
Bella Ureña, making the start, notched her first career double-double, with 11 kills and 11 digs, plus an ace.
Aria De La Rosa chipped in seven kills and
Joey Landeros added five off the bench.
Morgan Williams ascended to second all-time in program history in career digs, finishing the match with 1,480, passing Tasha Johnston ('06). She is now 182 away from Stephanie Frost's ('06) record. The senior finished the night with 19 digs. Freshman
Chloe Pejouan led the front line with five blocks, including one solo.
Megan Brzozowski, with 23, and
Makaela Tanaka, with 16, split primary setting duties.
Columbia's .278 team hit percentage was tops by a Fordham opponent this season to-date. It's just the second time an opponent has hit over .200. The Lions had 16 more attacks, 169-153, but committed just two fewer errors, 22-20. The Rams hit .176, their fourth-lowest mark of the year.
Fordham's rally fell short after an impressive third frame, holding on for a 25-20 decision and hitting .317 with 16 kills.
Joey Landeros' kill with the score tied at 19-19 proved to be the difference in that frame, her kill followed by a block by De La Rosa and Lahr and a Ureña ace. The set prior saw a wild finish and a 30-28 win in favor of the hosts. The Rams led for the majority of the set and overcame several late deficits and set points. Lahr struck twice to give the visitors their lone set point, 28-27, but the hosts struck for three straight points on a kill and a pair of blocks, two involving Ikwuazom.
Fordham finishes its three-matches-in-three-days road swing with a trip to LIU on Friday evening, which is set to begin at 6 p.m. and can be seen on NECFrontRow.com.
