MOUNT VERNON – The reigning eight-time defending Midwest Conference regular-season volleyball champions delivered a solid opening act to the 2021 MWC campaign with a 25-13, 25-13, 25-20 victory over Knox Friday night in the Small Sport Center.
 
The Rams (8-5 overall, 1-0 MWC) enjoyed a long-awaited return to conference competition that spanned more than 22 months. And Cornell did not wait long to get clicking against the visiting Prairie Fire (5-7 overall, 0-1 MWC).
 
Cornell pounded 14 kills on .387 hitting in the first set and was well on its way to an 18th consecutive series win over Knox. Ilah Perez-Johnson keyed the quick start, killing five of her eight attacks in the opening set.
 
Rory Light, the MWC's Offensive Performer of the Week, continued her stellar play with a match-high 10 kills and a .474 attack percentage. Perez-Johnson finished with eight kills and a team-best 13 digs. Alissa McEndaffer had eight kills.
 
The Rams served six aces in the match, three by Sydney Meeker who also scooped nine digs. Olivia Richards totaled four blocks and six digs. Freshman Clare Green set 23 assists.
 
Cornell posted a .209 team hitting percentage, to Knox's .000.
 
Knox hung close in the third set, getting within 18-16. The Rams got a kill from Light and a double block from Light and Perez-Johnson to pull away.
 
Cornell is back home at 1 p.m. Saturday for an MWC match with Monmouth (7-8 overall, 0-1 MWC).