GRINNELL – Senior all-American
Rory Light powered Cornell's volleyball lineup with 34 kills and 11 blocks as the Rams split two matches Saturday in the Grinnell Invitational at Darby Gym.
Light compiled 22 kills and a sizzling .487 attack percentage in a five-set loss to St. Catherine (9-25, 25-23, 25-21, 22-25, 16-14), marking the Rams' first defeat of the young season. Cornell cruised past Marian in the day's opening match, 25-17, 25-19, 25-17.
The Rams (2-1) went back and forth for two-plus hours with St. Catherine (4-1) in a battle that witnessed 35 ties and 21 lead changes. Cornell led 10-8 in the decisive fifth set, although couldn't finish it off after the score was knotted at 12, 13 and 14.
Light coupled a fine offensive performance with a team-high five blocks.
Ilah Perez-Johnson posted 15 kills against St. Catherine, followed by
Grace Marti with eight.
Clare Green set 48 assists and contributed six kills. Freshman
Ella McLaughlin led all players with 27 digs and was perfect on 26 serve reception chances.
Ella Becker added 19 digs and two aces.
The Rams were sharp from the service line against Marian, firing 13 aces in three sets.
Olivia Richards connected on four aces, while Green, McLaughlin, Becker and
Simone McKenzie had two apiece.
Light delivered team-highs of 12 kills and six blocks. Green distributed 23 assists and Becker accounted for 15 digs.
Carly Puffer made good on four blocks.
Coming up – Cornell travels to play American Rivers Conference favorite Coe (2-1) for a Bremner Cup match at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Cedar Rapids. Both teams are receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches' Poll.
