MOUNT VERNON – Newly minted with a No. 24 national ranking, Cornell's volleyball team didn't disappoint Wednesday night in a 27-29, 25-20, 25-16, 25-17 home-opening victory over previously-unbeaten Dubuque inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Cornell overcame a strong start by the Spartans (4-1) and powered through to stay perfect on the young season at 4-0. The win marked No. 399 for head coach Jeff Meeker in his 22nd season with the Rams.  
 
The Rams showed their depth and offensive firepower with four players reaching double-digit kills, led by Ilah Perez-Johnson and Ella McLaughlin with 16 apiece. Sophomore Carly Puffer had an impressive .345 hitting night with 12 kills, while reigning Midwest Conference Performer of the Week Grace Marti pitched in 11 kills.
 
Cornell posted a .253 attack percentage against a Dubuque squad that limited its first four opponents to .085 hitting.
 
Cornell's talented setting tandem of junior Clare Green and first-year Nia Howard dished 26 and 23 assists, respectively. Green notched 14 digs and Howard 11 to complete their double-doubles.
 
The Rams planted nine ace serves, including four each from Howard and Perez-Johnson. Libero Ella Becker led all players with 22 digs, followed by Caitlin Babcock's 15.  
 
The Rams turned momentum in the second set, fueled by Perez-Johnson's nine kills and two aces. Cornell built a 9-2 lead in Set 3 and put the match away with an 11-2 spurt midway through the fourth.
 
Senior Emma Powell paced Dubuque with 23 kills on .265 hitting.  
 
Coming up – The Rams take on No. 9 nationally-ranked UW-Whitewater (4-0) for a 6 p.m. neutral-site match Friday at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. On Saturday, Cornell hosts Midwest Conference foe Illinois College at 10 a.m., followed by a 2 p.m. showdown with No. 5 Northwestern at 2 p.m.