MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's volleyball team didn't take a direct path to the Midwest Conference season like most years, but by mid-afternoon Saturday the Rams had reached their desired destination.
 
Coach Jeff Meeker's Rams found their way just fine after a 4-10 start to the season and are NCAA-bound again as champions of the MWC Tournament.
 
Top-seeded Cornell scored a 25-16, 22-25, 25-13, 25-16 victory over No. 2 seed Grinnell in Saturday's title match inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
The Rams' 12th consecutive victory propels them into the NCAA Division III Tournament for the fourth year in a row. Tournament pairings will be announced at noon Monday on NCAA.com. Regional play begins Nov. 21-23.
 
Cornell (19-11) finished 10-0 against MWC competition. The Rams defeated runner-up Grinnell (21-10) twice in an 11-day span.
 
The Rams showed their offensive firepower Saturday with four players reaching double-digit kills, led by 21 slams from fifth-year all-American Ilah Perez-Johnson. Cornell hit a sizzling .331 as a team and accounted for 62 kills in the match, to Grinnell's 34.
 
MWC Player of the Year Clare Green fashioned a double-double of 50 assists and 10 digs in her final home match. Cornell's deep attack had Carly Puffer and Kiana Manson with 11 kills apiece, followed by Ally Olmstead with 10.
 
Junior libero Ella Becker led all players with 22 digs. Olmstead and Puffer provided four blocks apiece.
 
The Rams connected on seven ace serves, three delivered by Nia Howard.    
 
With the match tied at 1-1, Cornell used a 10-1 spurt in the third set to take control. The Rams then raced ahead midway through the fourth set with a 9-1 run. Olmstead delivered championship point on a spike from Green.
 
Cornell improved to 21-2 in MWC Tournament play since 2012.