PRINCETON, N.J. — Cornell women's volleyball pushed Yale to the brink in a five-set battle Friday night, but the Big Red came up just short in the Ivy League Tournament semifinal at Dillon Gymnasium. Despite the 3–2 loss, Cornell closed its season having reached the conference tournament for the second straight year — a testament to the program's upward climb and the group's relentless work throughout the fall.

Yale took the match 25–19, 23–25, 25–23, 23–25, 15–12, edging the Big Red in a back-and-forth contest where neither side led by more than three points for most of the night. Cornell hit .248 as a team and racked up 75 digs and 13 total blocks, refusing to give Yale anything easily.

Top Performers
Cornell was powered by a balanced offense led by Nicole Mallus, who delivered a team-high 19 kills to go with 13 digs and three blocks. Mackenzie Parsons added 14 kills while hitting an efficient .480, and Eliza Konvicka chipped in 14 kills and 10 digs. In the middle, Ava Bogan anchored the block with 11 total blocks. Setter Mary Wolcott posted 31 assists and 11 digs, while Doga Ozalp added 25 assists. Libero Sara Pomar led the backcourt with a team-high 17 digs and four aces.

Set 1 – Yale 25, Cornell 19

Cornell opened strong, trading early points behind kills from Meghan Gaffigan and Parsons. But a mid-set Yale scoring run broke open the frame, fueled in part by Cornell service errors. Despite late kills from Konvicka and Bogan, the Bulldogs closed out the set to take a 1–0 lead.

Set 2 – Cornell 25, Yale 23

The Big Red responded with their most complete frame of the night. Mallus powered the offense, while Pomar delivered two crucial service aces to tilt momentum. Parsons and Sione added timely kills down the stretch before Mallus sealed the set at 25–23 to even the match.

Set 3 – Yale 25, Cornell 23

Set three matched the tone of the night: tight, tense, and defensive. Both teams traded long rallies, with Yale's serving run generating just enough separation. Cornell fought back to within 24–23 after an Ozalp service ace, but Yale closed the set on the next point.

Set 4 – Cornell 25, Yale 23

Facing elimination, Cornell elevated its attack. Mallus and Konvicka repeatedly found seams in the block, and Parsons added several clutch swings to keep the Red ahead late. A big block by Bogan sealed the 25–23 win, pushing the match to a decisive fifth set.

Set 5 – Yale 15, Cornell 12

Cornell struck first on a Mallus kill, but Yale rallied behind its serving to create a small cushion the Red couldn't quite erase. Parsons and Gaffigan added kills to keep Cornell within striking distance, but Yale's late push clinched the match, 15–12.

Despite the final score, Cornell's run to the semifinal — and back-to-back tournament appearances — underscores the resilience, growth, and competitive edge this group has built. With its core continuing to rise, the Big Red leave Princeton with pride and momentum for the future.