ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell women's volleyball opened its 2026 campaign in front of its home crowd Friday night with a commanding performance, sweeping Howard, 3-0, in the opening match of the Cornell Invitational at Newman Arena.
The Big Red took the match 25-23, 25-13, 25-18, steadily pulling away after a tight opening set to start the season with a victory. Cornell hit .261 as a team and held Howard to a .067 hitting percentage, while putting together a balanced attack and strong performance at the net.
Top Performers
Ava Bogan led the way for the Big Red in an impressive all-around performance, recording nine kills while hitting .643 and adding a team-high seven total blocks. Mackenzie Parsons added 10 kills, nine digs and four blocks while hitting .318.
Jaida Sione chipped in six kills while hitting .455, while freshman Ellery Williamson added seven kills and six digs in her collegiate debut. Setter Mary Wolcott directed the offense with 17 assists, while Sara Poma added six digs and five assists at libero.
Set 1 – Cornell 25, Howard 23
The game began with an early test for the Big Red as neither team could create much separation. Howard held a 15-12 advantage midway through the frame before Cornell methodically worked its way back.
After the teams traded points late, Cornell pulled ahead 22-21 on a Howard attack error before a Bogan kill made it 24-22. Howard answered to pull within one, but a final Howard error gave the Big Red the opening-set victory, 25-23.
Set 2 – Cornell 25, Howard 13
The Big Red found another gear in the second set.
After the teams played even through the early points, Cornell ripped off a decisive run midway through the frame. With the match tied at 8-8, the Big Red scored seven straight points to seize a 15-8 advantage.
Williamson and Parsons provided the offense during the run, while Bogan continued to make her presence felt at the net. Cornell never relinquished control and closed the set on a Sione kill to take a 2-0 lead.
Set 3 – Cornell 25, Howard 18
Howard came out with renewed energy in the third, turning a 5-7 deficit into a 10-10 tie before eventually taking an 11-10 lead.
Cornell responded with a run of its own.
The Big Red took control after the tie, scoring five straight points to move ahead 16-11. From there, Cornell continued to stretch its advantage, with Bogan, Parsons and Sione contributing kills and freshman Mikayla Gray adding an ace during the decisive stretch.
Howard pulled within 20-17, but Cornell answered again, scoring five of the final six points. Sione closed the match with her third kill of the set, giving the Big Red a 25-18 victory and the 3-0 sweep.
Thoughts From Head Coach
For a team playing its first match of the season against a Howard squad that had already played three matches, head coach Trudy Vande Burg was pleased with how Cornell settled in after a nervous opening.
"It feels really good," Vande Berg said. "Our first match is everyone else's fourth or fifth match. So they've had time to kind of work out the kinks, and we've just had to do it against each other in practice."
Vande Berg credited the Big Red with recognizing Howard's tendencies and consistently applying pressure.
"We came out a little nervous, but they got into a groove, and it was really fun to watch," Vande Berg said. "We knew what their tendencies were, and we did a great job of working those until we started to strain them."
Ava Bogan was central to Cornell's success, finishing with nine kills on 14 attacks without an error while adding seven blocks.
The night also marked the collegiate debut of Ellery Williamson, who played all three sets and contributed seven kills and six digs.
Vande Burg praised the freshman for settling into her role and trusting her game as the match progressed.
"Obviously, as a freshman, she's such a great player. She's played at such a high level, and we knew that we just needed to get that first swing out, that first ball out of her," Vande Berg said. "She's a great ball-control kid. She plays good defense. She's perfect for that position."
Cornell's first-night performance also showed the depth and balance the Big Red will look to carry throughout the weekend. Eight Cornell players appeared in the match, with several younger players making key contributions as the team navigated its way through the sweep.
Up Next
Cornell continues play at the Cornell Invitational Saturday at 11 a.m. against UAlbany at Newman Arena. Live stats and a live stream will be available.
