MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's volleyball team hasn't lost a match against an unranked opponent since Sept. 16. And the Rams weren't about to let it happen Saturday with an NCAA berth on the line.
 
Top-seeded Cornell completed a perfect 10-0 run through the Midwest Conference, stamped by a 25-13, 25-19, 25-21 win over No. 2 seed Lake Forest in the championship match of the MWC Tournament inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
The Rams (22-7) captured their eighth MWC tourney crown overall and secured a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the ninth time since 2011.  
 
Cornell will learn its destination and opponent in the 64-team field at 12 p.m. Monday during the NCAA Selection Show on NCAA.com. Regionals are held Nov. 11-13.  
 
Coach Jeff Meeker's Rams improved to 17-2 in MWC Tournament matches since rejoining the conference in 2012.
 
The Rams continued their stellar play against the Foresters, who bowed out with a 16-13 record. Senior Grace Marti fired 12 consecutive service points – including a couple aces – that carried the Rams through the opening set.
 
Cornell pounded 13 kills on .289 hitting in the Set 2 win. Rory Light accounted for four of her match-high 10 kills in the third set, highlighted by the title-clinching spike that prompted another championship celebration by the Rams.
 
One of the top blocking teams in the nation, the Rams stuffed Lake Forest 13 times and held the visitors to a .059 attack percentage. Light gobbled up seven more blocks, raising her impressive season total to 135. Marti and Clare Green added five blocks apiece.
 
The Rams were sharp from the service line, connecting on eight aces. Marti and Ilah Perez-Johnson had three aces apiece. Perez-Johnson tallied nine kills and 15 digs, sharing team-high honors with Ella Becker.
 
Green dished 24 assists. Olivia Richards had 12 digs.
 
Cornell is now 18-3 since dropping a four-set match to national votes-getter Bethel in mid-September.