By Jessica Jimenez — Staff Writer
San Jose State women’s volleyball (5-5) headed to New York for the Big Apple Tournament where it defeated Long Island University 3-0 but fell to Columbia University 3-2.
In the first of two matches, LIU (0-11) fell in straight sets 25-23, 25-11, 26-24 on Thursday evening in Brooklyn.
The Spartans jumped out to an early 9-4 lead to kick off the match.
They held on to a slight lead and the Sharks managed to keep a tie going 21-21 as both teams traded a pair of runs.
Its temporary success wasn’t enough for LIU as SJSU sophomore middle-blocker Haylee Nelson completed the set with a winning kill.
The Spartans carried out the momentum into the second set with a 12-4 lead.
The Sharks were unable to catch up throughout the set and SJSU took the victory 25-11.
In the set, Nelson, senior middle-blocker Thaliana Grajeda and freshman outside hitter Makayla Lewis all had six kills a piece.
LIU opened up the final set on a 7-2 run and SJSU quickly caught up tying it 7-7.
Both teams traded points back-and-forth until a two-point turnaround by the Spartans won the set 26-24 ending the match.
Grajeda accomplished a team-best hit .571 with no errors.
On Friday evening, for the last match of the tournament Columbia (6-2) and SJSU went to play a full five sets, putting the Spartans to work.
The Spartans opened up the first set with a 6-0 lead until the Lions struck with a kill.
Columbia gained power while leading, but then SJSU tussled points with their opponents going back-and-forth until they ended the set with a win.
It was junior middle-blocker Ryann Thomison who delivered a gnarly kill to win 25-23.
The Lions returned on a mission and the Spartans were unable to win the set falling 25-18.
Nelson and Grajeda both recorded service aces during the set.
Going into the third, both teams remained steady as they managed to keep the points close but it was not enough as the Lions had a kill while the Spartans faced an attack error.
The set ended 27-25 with Columbia ready to take on SJSU in the fourth set.
The Lions opened up the set with a 3-0 lead as SJSU came in with a quick kill.
Midway through, the Spartans took the lead and Columbia could not catch up.
The team ended the fourth set with a 25-22 win.
The last and final set concluded the night with a 15-8 Columbia win.
It was Nelson who had the most kills of the night with 21 and sophomore libero Sarah Smevog had an exceptional 19 digs.
SJSU will head down south to play a match against San Diego State on Thursday. The first set begins at 6 p.m.
Follow Jessica on Twitter @jessicajim06
