The University of Pennsylvania women’s volleyball team was defeated by Yale in straight sets Friday night at The Palestra. Yale, the defending Ivy League champions and preseason favorites, won with set scores of 25-12, 25-19, and 25-19.
This loss marks Penn’s third consecutive defeat, bringing their record to 6-6 overall and 0-2 in Ivy League play. Both losses have come against the top two teams from the league’s preseason poll. Yale improved its season record to 6-4 overall and remains undefeated in conference action at 2-0.
Penn struggled offensively throughout the match, recording a .114 hitting percentage and only managing 31 kills—their lowest total since their opening match against Colorado.
Junior Zada Sanger led Penn with 11 kills, achieving double-digit kills for the eighth consecutive match. Sophomore Ellie Siskin contributed six kills on a .200 hitting percentage along with eight digs and a service ace, increasing her team-leading total to ten aces this season. Freshman libero Addison Pollock recorded a team-high 15 digs. Sophomore setter Emery Moore added 12 digs as well as 22 assists, one kill, and an ace. Freshman Nathalie Tsai served an ace on her first touch after entering as a service specialist in the third set.
Jenna Garner had four kills and led Penn with three block assists; she also tallied eleven digs. Junior Bella Rittenberg and sophomore Adell Murray each contributed four kills as well.
In the opening set, Yale took control early by scoring the first three points and later extending their lead with a seven-point run that forced both of Penn’s timeouts. The Bulldogs finished the set ahead by thirteen points.
The second set was more competitive with six ties and several lead changes. Penn led by as many as four points but could not maintain momentum after Yale put together multiple scoring runs following a media timeout.
In the final set, both teams were tied at seven before Yale pulled away with another significant run. Although Penn narrowed the gap late in the set after a Rittenberg kill brought them within three points at 19-16, Yale responded quickly to secure both separation and victory.
Penn will complete its four-match homestand Saturday evening when it hosts Brown at The Palestra.
For updates on Penn volleyball, follow @PennVolleyball on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram or visit PennAthletics.com.
