ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell women's volleyball returns home for a marquee weekend as the Big Red hosts back-to-back Ivy League matchups during Homecoming weekend. Cornell welcomes Harvard to Newman Arena inside Bartels Hall on Friday at 7 p.m. before squaring off against Dartmouth on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Season So Far (6–5, 1–0 Ivy)
Cornell enters the weekend at 6–5 overall and 1–0 in Ivy play, having opened its conference slate with a decisive sweep of Columbia on the road last weekend.
Senior outside/right-side hitter Eliza Konvicka continues to power the Big Red attack with 158 kills and a .301 hitting percentage, having already surpassed the 1,000-career kill milestone earlier this month against University at Buffalo. Sophomore outside hitter Mackenzie Parsons has been another offensive spark, recording 107 kills on an impressive .458 efficiency. Together, they've helped Cornell climb to No. 2 in the Ivy League in total kills (541).
At setter, senior Doga Ozalp leads the team with 195 assists (5.27 per set), while freshman Mikayla Gray has contributed 184 (4.97 per set), giving Cornell a balanced distribution in its offense. The Big Red also ranks second in the Ivy League in service aces, totaling 84 across 42 sets played.
On defense, junior libero Sarita Pomar has anchored the back row with 157 digs, averaging 3.74 per set. Parsons has also been a presence at the net with a team-high 40 blocks, while junior middle blocker Ava Bogan has added 39 and Konvicka has chipped in 25.
Cornell's roster also runs deep, with rotations providing contributions across the lineup. The Big Red has shown that anyone can step up when called upon, making depth one of the team's key strengths heading into Ivy play.
Scouting Harvard (2–7, 1–0 Ivy)
Harvard enters the weekend at 2–7 overall but with momentum after opening Ivy League play with a 3–0 sweep of Dartmouth. The Crimson has leaned on a balanced attack, led by Brynne Faltinsky and Sofia Rossi, who pace the team with 90 kills apiece. Outside hitter, Ali Farquhar has chipped in 80 kills and adds a key presence at the net.
Freshman setter Sophia Wei runs the offense with 158 assists, while sophomore Nicole Cornell has also seen significant setting duties with 112. Defensively, Wi has posted a team-high 82 digs, and middle blocker, Taylor Larkin leads the blocking effort with 54 total. Harvard has also been strong from the service line, recording 64 aces in nine matches.
Last season, Harvard won both meetings with Cornell.
Scouting Dartmouth (3–8, 0–1 Ivy)
Dartmouth arrives in Ithaca at 3–8 overall and 0–1 in Ivy League play, following a straight-set loss to Harvard in its conference opener. The Big Green is paced offensively by outside hitter Kauany Gutz, who leads the team with 96 kills, and right side hitter Maddie LaFata, who has added 83. Setter Sophia Gagnepain has distributed 224 assists on the year, averaging 5.74 per set.
Defensively, libero EllaMae Fitzgerald anchors the backcourt with 143 digs, while Elle McCreery has made her presence felt at the net with 23 blocks. Dartmouth has also been aggressive at the service line, totaling 58 aces across its first 11 matches.
The Big Red beat Big Green in their two league matchups last season.
Up Next
Following Homecoming weekend, Cornell will be home again for two more Ivy League tests, facing Brown on Friday, October 10 and Yale on Saturday, October 11.
