WAVERLY – A long night of volleyball saw the 14th-ranked Rams come up a few points short in back-to-back five-set battles with Carthage and UW-River Falls Friday at the Wartburg Invitational.
 
Carthage outlasted the Rams 24-26, 26-24, 19-25, 25-16 and 15-11 in the opening match that featured 19 ties and 12 lead changes. Cornell fell 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 20-25 and 15-11 to UW-River Falls in the nightcap.   
 
The Rams, who fought two-plus hours with each opponent, slipped to 8-4 overall. Cornell had been 4-0 in five-setters this season prior to dropping both Friday.    
 
Fifth-year Grace Marti equaled her career-high with 18 kills on .405 hitting against Carthage (7-6), which scored the final three points in the fifth set to take the match. The Rams received double-doubles from setter Clare Green (43 assists, 11 digs) and outside hitter Ilah Perez-Johnson (14 kills, 13 digs).
 
Carly Puffer had a strong opener with 10 kills and seven blocks. Ella Becker contributed 15 digs, Nia Howard 12.
 
The Rams fell behind 11-3 in the decisive fifth against UW-River Falls (9-4). Cornell rallied to get within 14-11 before the comeback stalled.
 
Green paced Cornell with 43 assists, 13 digs and three service aces. Perez-Johnson and Ella McLaughlin shared team-high honors with 14 kills apiece. Marti and Puffer each had 10 kills.
 
Becker led the team with 18 digs. Howard and Marti both fired two aces.
     
Coming up – The Rams are home next Friday, Sept. 29 to face Simpson (3-9) for a 7 p.m. match inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.