ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell women's volleyball returns to Newman Arena this weekend for a pivotal Ivy League homestand, hosting Penn on Friday at 7 p.m. and Princeton on Saturday at 6 p.m.
The Big Red (13-7, 8-2 Ivy) enter the weekend atop the conference standings and riding momentum after a dominant sweep of Harvard last weekend. Cornell hit a season-high .493 in the win, the second-best team hitting percentage in program history, and continues to lead the Ivy League in points (1,293), points per set (17.24) and total blocks (162).
Sophomore middle blocker Mackenzie Parsons is a force for Cornell's attack and currently ranks 12th nationally in hitting percentage (.422). Senior Eliza Konvicka, who earned her third Ivy League Player of the Week honor on last week, continues to pace the offense with a team-leading 280 kills (3.94 per set) and also leads the team with 31 service aces. Senior setter Doga Ozalp, who recently surpassed the 2,000-assist milestone, guides a balanced offense alongside freshman setter Mikayla Grey.
Cornell's depth has also been key, with senior outside hitter Nicole Mallus returning from injury last season to average 2.2 kills per set, and junior middle blocker Ava Bogan leading the Big Red with 81 blocks. Senior Meghan Gaffigan and junior Jaida Sione have been reliable attacking options as well.
Scouting Penn
Penn (10-10, 4-6 Ivy) comes to Ithaca following a statement five-set road win at three-time defending Ivy champion Yale — handing the Bulldogs just their second home loss since 2022. The Quakers lead the Ivy League in total kills (1,007), kills per set (13.79), assists (953) and digs (1,278). Freshman libero Addison Pollock ranks ninth in the nation with 4.9 digs per set, while outside hitters Zada Sanger (3.30 k/s), Ellie Siskin (2.63 k/s) and Jenna Garner (2.64 k/s) lead a balanced attack. Penn's blocking — last in the league at 1.5 per set — will be tested against Cornell's front-line strength.
Scouting Princeton
Princeton (12-6, 7-3 Ivy) enters the weekend second in the Ivy standings and looking to even the season series after Cornell's five-set victory in the first meeting. The Tigers lead the conference in hitting percentage (.277) and rank second in both kills per set (13.73) and assists per set (12.97). Middle blocker Lucia Scalamandre ranks third nationally with a .457 hitting percentage, while setter Sydney Draper stands fourth in Division I with 10.92 assists per set. Outside hitter Valerie Nukator leads Princeton with 201 kills (3.24 per set).
Up Next
Cornell closes Ivy League regular-season play next weekend at home, hosting Yale on Friday and Brown on Saturday.
