MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's volleyball team knocked off its second Top 25 opponent in four days, stuffing 20th-ranked rival Coe 25-23, 23-25, 25-16, 25-21 before a large crowd Tuesday night inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
The Rams, who swept No. 21 Illinois Wesleyan here Saturday, climbed to 11-5 overall while avenging a 3-0 loss to the Kohawks a month ago in Cedar Rapids. Coe (15-4) had an eight-match winning streak snapped.
 
Cornell beat the Kohawks for the 11th time in the last 16 meetings, fueled by a season-high 14 blocks and a balanced offensive attack that saw four Rams register double-digit kills.
 
Senior Rory Light was a force on both sides of the net, posting a career-high 10 blocks and smashing a match-high 14 kills on .244 hitting. The NCAA Division III leader in blocks per set, Light tallied three solo blocks and seven assisted.  
 
Junior Ilah Perez-Johnson scooped a career-best 27 digs and completed a double-double with 10 kills. She also delivered two aces and was perfect on 30 serve reception chances.   
 
Clare Green dished 45 assists, 13 going to Ella McLaughlin. Grace Marti continued her strong play with 11 kills on .308 hitting. Ella Becker added 20 digs.    
 
With the match knotted at 1-1, the Rams took firm control in the third set, racing to a 10-2 lead. Cornell coasted through the third and pulled away from a 17-16 lead in the decisive fourth set. The Rams finished off the night with a double block from Light and Green.
 
The Rams hit .199 as a team and held a 56-46 advantage in total kills.
 
Coming up – The Rams (2-0 MWC) return to Midwest Conference play Friday with a 7 p.m. home match against Ripon.