MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's 24th-ranked volleyball team was stretched to four sets Saturday, but did not break in a 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 25-23 Midwest Conference victory over Illinois College inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
The Rams (13-6 overall, 3-0 MWC) remained tied atop the league standings with Lake Forest (4-0 MWC), while handing Illinois College (11-11 overall, 3-1 MWC) its first conference loss.
 
Senior Ilah Perez-Johnson continued her terrific play with a match-high 20 kills and team-best 16 digs. The outside hitter delivered the match-winning spike on her 64th attack attempt of the contest.
 
Clare Green set 42 assists for a balanced Cornell attack that saw Ella McLaughlin register 11 kills, followed by Grace Marti with 10 and newcomer Kiana Manson with eight.
 
First-year Nia Howard accounted for four of the team's seven aces and also pitched in nine digs. Ella Becker had 14 digs, Green 13 and Kensie Staats 12.
 
The competitive match saw the Rams hit .168 with 55 kills. The Lady Blues tallied 52 kills on .170 hitting.
 
Coming up – Cornell is home Wednesday to face Beloit (1-16 overall, 0-4 MWC) at 7 p.m.