NEW YORK -- The Penn volleyball team kept a busy travel schedule during fall break, facing Columbia, Cornell and Bucknell on the road. The Quakers started strong in New York on Friday night, defeating the Lions, 3-0.
The Quakers (10-8, 3-4 Ivy) dominated all three games, winning 30-20, 30-16 and 30-21. Columbia's record fell to 2-17 overall, 0-7 in Ivy play.
"We executed our game plan very well," Penn coach Kerry Carr said. "We were able to handle a lineup switch in the third game, which is great. No one lost focus."
Carr also attributes the team's dominance to a big improvement in serving.
"We served tough and made fewer service errors," Carr said.
Penn junior Michelle Kauffman and senior Lynzy Caton both recorded 10 kills for the Red and Blue. Sophomore defensive specialist Meredith Damore tallied 17 digs, while freshman Linda Zhang added 35 assists and 10 digs.
After the easy win, however, the Quakers faced some traveling setbacks.
"After the match, our bus broke down outside of Columbia," Carr said. "We had a tough night."
No hotels were available in New York on Friday night, so the Red and Blue stayed in dorms provided by Columbia. With a delayed travel schedule, the team left New York on Saturday morning for a 4 p.m. match in Ithaca, N.Y., against Cornell (12-6, 6-2).
Although the Quakers had a short warmup, they opened strong and beat the Big Red, 32-30, in the first game. However, Cornell came back to win the next three games, 30-27, 30-25 and 30-25.
Junior Cara Thomason recorded 18 kills and 26 digs for the Red and Blue, while freshman Laura Black added 12 kills and three digs.
"The Cornell match showed that we could play through adversity," Carr said. "I am very proud of the team.
"We outblocked Cornell, the best blockers in the league. We are capable of beating them."
After the loss to the Big Red, the Quakers focused on passing and blocking in preparation for Tuesday's matchup against Bucknell (11-9, 5-3 Patriot) in Lewisburg, Pa.
The Quakers efficiently executed their game plan and beat the Bison in three games, 30-14, 30-17 and 30-21.
Defense proved key as Penn outblocked Bucknell 13-1. Kauffman and Caton each had 4 1/2 blocks, while posting 12 and seven kills, respectively. Zhang tallied 37 assists and 11 digs. The Quakers recorded a .413 hitting percentage overall.
The Red and Blue face Brown tomorrow and Yale on Saturday at the Palestra.
"If we stop both Brown and Yale's right side and improve passing, we can pull off two victories this weekend," Carr said.
