To understand how much the Columbia volleyball program has transformed, consider that before last year, the team had not won more than seven games over an entire season since 2002.

Right now, though, Columbia (7-2) is riding a seven-game win streak and making a clean break from the recent past. The streak is Columbia’s longest string of wins since 2001, and the team is primed to continue its momentum when it faces Cornell (2-7) on Saturday for both teams’ first league match of the year.

The Lions are coming off impressive showings the past two weekends: They won the Columbia Classic two weeks ago and the Columbia Invitational last weekend. In the Invitational, Columbia achieved 3-2, 3-0, and 3-0 wins over Fordham, Bucknell, and Fairleigh Dickinson, respectively. Sophomore Megan Gaughn was named Tournament MVP, and freshmen middle blocker Savannah Fletcher and libero Katherine Keller made it onto the all-Tournament team.

Last season, Columbia split its season series with Cornell.

“Cornell is very big and athletic and plays with a lot of intensity,” said Columbia head coach Jon Wilson.

This year, a win over Cornell would be especially significa nt, because in addition to getting Columbia off to a strong conference start, it would extend the team’s win streak to a program-record eight games.

“Starting the Ivy League season is always exciting,” Wilson said. “Cornell will provide a high level of competition for us. I am expecting to see a great effort from both teams and some very exciting rallies.”

The match against Cornell will be a good contest, and one that will hopefully give Columbia its milestone win and more momentum heading into its match against Manhattan College on Wednesday.

The Cornell match will take place Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. in Levien Gymnasium.