Bulldogs Split Weekend Matches Against Princeton and Penn

The women’s volleyball team from Yale University experienced a mixed weekend, achieving a decisive victory over Princeton University but falling short against the University of Pennsylvania. The Bulldogs improved their overall record to 10–8 and 6–4 in Ivy League play following a weekend split.

On October 31, 2023, the Bulldogs swept Princeton with a commanding score of 3-0, showcasing their strength in a match that left an impression. The sets concluded with scores of 25-22, 25-14, and 25-14. The match highlighted standout performances, particularly from Yuri Park (class of 2029), who excelled from the service line and contributed significantly to the team’s momentum.

Yale began the first set with an impressive 4–0 scoring streak, thanks to Park’s serves. Despite some back-and-forth exchanges, the Bulldogs gained the upper hand late in the set, pulling ahead at 22-23. The second set saw Park deliver a remarkable nine-point service run, which propelled Yale to dominate the scoreboard. In the third set, additional service aces from teammates Halle Sherlock (class of 2026) and Mila Mijailovic (class of 2028) complemented strong defensive tactics, effectively stifling Princeton’s offensive efforts.

Leading the Bulldogs in scoring was Ava Poinsett (class of 2029), who registered 15 kills and nine digs. Teammates Cam Bolane (class of 2028) and Lauren Kellen (class of 2026) contributed with eight and six kills, respectively, without committing any hitting errors. Overall, Yale outperformed Princeton in kills, aces, blocks, assists, and digs, with Park contributing four of the nine service aces.

The following day, the Bulldogs faced a challenging match against Penn, resulting in a narrow defeat after a hard-fought five-set battle. The final scores were 22-25, 25-19, 25-19, 19-25, and 11-15. The match was characterized by intense competition, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the first four sets.

After losing the initial set, Yale rebounded strongly in the second and third sets, showcasing offensive prowess and solid defense to establish a 2-1 lead. Nevertheless, they struggled to maintain that momentum in the fourth set, which allowed Penn to regain their footing. The Quakers initiated the fifth set with an early 5–0 run, ultimately proving too much for Yale to overcome.

Despite the defeat, Poinsett matched her season-high with 24 kills and added 15 digs. Laurece Abraham (class of 2027) also had an impressive performance with 19 kills at a hitting percentage of 0.500, while Bolane contributed 13 kills. Five players recorded ten or more digs as they fought to contain the Quakers’ offense.

Looking ahead, the Bulldogs will conclude their away schedule next weekend with matches against Harvard University and Dartmouth College on the road. The upcoming games promise to be critical as the team aims to solidify its standing in the Ivy League as the season progresses.