CEDAR RAPIDS – Two teams receiving national votes. Two conference preseason favorites. Two points deciding the winner in each set.
 
Wednesday's volleyball showdown was ultra-tight as expected with Coe squeaking out a 29-27, 25-23, 25-23 win over the Rams inside Kohawk Arena.
 
The Rams (2-2) came up a few plays short and the rival Kohawks (3-1) finished with a hard-fought point in the 2022-23 Bremner Cup All-Sport Series, which Coe now leads 2-1.
 
Cornell staved off set point twice in the opening set and had chances to close it out leading 25-24, 26-25 and 27-26. In Set 2, the Rams were in position to even the match with a 22-21 advantage.
 
The Rams charged back from an early 13-4 deficit in the third set. A 4-0 service run by Ilah Perez-Johnson knotted the score at 22-22, when Cornell's comeback stalled.
 
Senior Grace Marti delivered five kills in Set 1 and finished with a match-high 12 to pace the Rams. She had a strong .296 hitting night.
 
Rory Light, the reigning Midwest Conference Offensive Performer of the Week, accounted for eight kills and five blocks. Perez-Johnson added seven kills and nine digs.
 
The Rams received 18 digs from Ella Becker and 11 from Olivia Richards. Clare Green totaled 28 assists and nine digs. Becker served two of the team's five aces.
 
The Kohawks outhit Cornell, .128 to .111 and finished with two more kills.
 
Coming up – Cornell plays host to Augustana at 7 p.m. Friday. Due to finishing touches being made to Cornell's new gym floor, the match will be played at Mount Vernon High School.