CEDAR RAPIDS – Cornell's 24th-ranked volleyball team rolled to a convincing Set 1 win, although couldn't spring the upset against ninth-ranked UW-Whitewater in a 15-25, 25-21, 25-18, 26-24 neutral-site loss Friday night at Kohawk Arena.
 
Cornell (4-1) was dealt its first setback of the season, while the Warhawks moved to 5-0.
 
In a rematch of last year's NCAA regional quarterfinal – won by UW-Whitewater – it was the Rams who delivered the first punch Friday night behind the hot service hand of Caitlin Babcock.
 
The Rams used a 14-2 charge to put away the Warhawks in Set 1. Babcock served out the final eight points, highlighted by three aces.  
 
Cornell was tied 21-21 in Set 2 before UW-Whitewater tallied four unanswered points to even the match at 1-1. The Warhawks led for the entirety of Set 3 and then squeaked out the win in the decisive fourth, which was tied 24-24.
 
Cornell senior Ilah Perez-Johnson carded a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs. Clare Green had 15 assists and Ella Becker led all players with 16 digs. Carly Puffer provided five kills and a team-best seven blocks.
 
The Rams connected for nine aces, three by Babcock. The Warhawks recorded 12 team blocks and limited the Rams to 29 kills for the match.
 
Coming up – On Saturday, Cornell plays host to Midwest Conference foe Illinois College at 10 a.m., followed by a 2 p.m. showdown with No. 5 Northwestern at 2 p.m.