BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Big Red women's volleyball team (6-2) kept its win streak alive with a thrilling 3-2 (22-25, 25-20, 25-20, 23-25, 15-9) victory over Buffalo at the Blue and White Classic Friday evening at Alumni Arena in Buffalo, N.Y.
With the win, the Big Red has now won four-straight, including a 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-18) triumph over Canisius earlier today. This also marks the second consecutive season that Cornell has beaten Buffalo in five sets, having downed the Bulls, 3-2, in the Big Red's season opener at the Cornell Invitational in 2018.
Cornell was led in the win by Madison Baptiste (13), Jenna Phelps (13), and Joanna Chang (11), who combined for over half of the Big Red's 63 kills. Phelps' had quite the evening, notching a .526 hitting percentage on 19 attempts and tallying a game-high five block assists to go along with her 13 kills.
Lily Barber was once again impressive from the back row, collecting 21 digs to pair with six assists, two service aces, and a kill. Zoe Chamness' passing game was on point in the win, as the junior recorded a game-high 29 assists.
As a team, the Big Red out-hit the Bulls .263 to .171 for the game, including .529 to 0.00 in the fifth set to seal the deal for Cornell.
Buffalo opened set one on a 4-0 run, but Cornell scored eight of the next 12 points to tie the score up at 8-8. It looked like a back-and-forth battle was about to ensue, but Buffalo scored the next three points to take a 14-11 advantage and force a Big Red timeout. Cornell responded well out of the time out, scoring six of the next eight points to take a 17-16 lead. Baptiste, Jillienne Bennett, and Chang all recorded kills and added to the Big Red attack during this time frame. The Bulls could not be quieted, however, scoring the next three points to reclaim a 19-17 advantage. Despite a second Big Red timeout, Buffalo could not be stopped, scoring the next two points and going on to win set one, 25-22. Baptiste and Phelps led the Big Red in set one, collecting four kills apiece.
After dropping set one, Cornell came out with a vengeance in set two, jumping out to a 4-0 advantage after kills from Baptiste, Phelps, and Avery Hanan. With the Big Red lead extended to 9-2, Cornell was able to really settle in, and Hanan took full advantage. The sophomore outside hitter registered four of her eight kills for the game in the second set. Led by Hanan, the Big Red hit .267 as compared to the Bulls .120 in the second frame, propelling Cornell to the set two win, 25-20.
The Big Red also got off to a hot start in the third set, opening with a 5-2 lead. Cornell maintained the lead for the first half of the set, but with the score at 14-10 in favor of the Big Red, Buffalo fought back, scoring five of the next six points to tie the score up at 15-15. Buffalo extended its lead to 18-16, but now it was Cornell's turn to battle. Three straight errors from the Bulls and kills from Chang and Bennett gave the Big Red a 22-20 advantage. Highlighted by a Jada Stackhouse service ace and an Emma Worthington kill, Cornell would score the next three points and take set three, 25-20.
Not surprisingly, set four was a barn burner as well, featuring nine ties and five lead changes over the course of the set. Cornell was able to create some separation with the score at 8-5 following a Worthington kill and Baptiste service ace. However, with the score knotted up at 14-14, and back-and-forth action ensuing for the remainder of the set, it was Buffalo who came out on top, 25-23, forcing a fifth set.
Set five was all about the Big Red, who won 15-9 after holding Buffalo to a 0.00 hitting percentage for the set. Baptiste, Bennett, Chang, and Phelps all notched multiple kills in the final frame to give Cornell the 3-2 win.
The Cornell volleyball team will be back in action tomorrow morning when they close out the Blue and White Classic against Saint Francis (Pa.) at 10:30 a.m. in Alumni Arena in Buffalo, N.Y.
