MOUNT VERNON – Fifth-year hitter Ilah Perez-Johnson climbed into Cornell's career Top 5 for kills in the 21st-ranked Rams' 22-25, 25-21, 25-18, 26-24 loss to North Central Friday night at the Cornell Classic inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.  
 
Perez-Johnson led all players with 19 kills against the Cardinals (5-3), jumping fellow all-American Taylor Dicus (2011-14) to No. 5 on the program's all-time list with 1,236. Perez-Johnson also scooped a season-high 17 digs to complete her seventh double-double in nine matches this fall.
 
The Rams (4-5) hit a sizzling .364 in claiming the Set 1 win. After dropping the next two, Cornell appeared in control in the fourth with a 23-20 lead. North Central ran off four consecutive points before a Kiana Manson spike evened the score at 24-24.
 
The Cardinals closed it out with back-to-back kills, including the match-winner on the back line.
 
Cornell's Clare Green finished with 38 assists and 11 digs for her fourth double-double of the fall. Newcomers Mia Tubbs and Ally Olmstead joined Manson with seven kills apiece.
 
Carly Puffer posted five blocks. Ella Becker had 14 digs.
 
North Central posted a .242 attack percentage and held the Rams to .186 hitting in a match that was tied 27 times.   
 
In Friday's opening match, North Central rolled 25-13, 25-11, 25-20 over Simpson.
 
Coming up – The Cornell Classic continues with three matches Saturday. Augsburg and Simpson meet at 10 a.m. Cornell takes on Illinois Wesleyan at 12 p.m. and Simpson at 2 p.m.