AURORA, Ill. – Cornell's volleyball team capped a terrific opening weekend with a tremendous five-set comeback win over national-votes getter Chicago Saturday at the Jim Coleman Memorial Classic.
 
The Rams, who are also receiving national votes, charged back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Chicago in the finale with scores of 20-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-15 and 15-11.
 
Cornell swept Macalester 25-18, 25-15, 25-22 earlier Saturday, after claiming a 3-2 win Friday night over Aurora.
 
Cornell finished the weekend 3-0, ahead of Wednesday's home opener at 7:30 p.m. against Dubuque.
 
Fifth-year Grace Marti collected a team-best 30 kills on Saturday, including 18 on .326 hitting in the Chicago match. Cornell's balanced attack had three others reach double-digit kills against the Maroons with Ilah Perez-Johnson (13), Ella McLaughlin (11) and Carly Puffer (11).
 
Marti connected on four kills in the decisive fifth set, including the match-winner from setter Clare Green who dished 30 total assists to go with 11 digs. Nia Howard (16 assists, 13 digs) and Perez-Johnson (15 digs) also carded double-doubles for the Rams. Caitlin Babcock led the team with 18 digs.
 
The Rams fired 12 aces against Chicago, five delivered by Perez-Johnson. Howard served three aces. Puffer totaled five blocks.
 
Cornell hit .280 against Macalester to earn its first sweep of the young season. Marti posted a sizzling .550 attack percentage and had 12 kills, sharing match-high honors with Perez-Johnson.
 
Green handed out 29 assists and Babcock scooped 13 digs.