ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Cornell's volleyball team took on two more of the nation's elite at the Wash U. Bear Invitational, and nearly knocked off a Top 10 opponent Friday night.
 
Cornell went virtually point-for-point with No. 7 La Verne (Calif.), only to fall a few plays short in a 24-26, 25-14, 29-27, 28-26 loss that concluded Day 1 action.
 
In Friday's opener against No. 15 Gustavus Adolphus, the Rams were swept by scores of 25-14, 25-22 and 25-16.   
 
The Rams (4-9) have now played six Top 25 foes this season, and another awaits Saturday in No. 9 Wash U at 1 p.m. on the Bears' home court.
 
Cornell setter Clare Green reached a career milestone with her 3,500th career assist, joining Hannah Boehmer (2007-10) as the only Rams to accomplish that feat. The senior all-American handed out 57 assists in Friday's two contests.
 
The Rams accumulated 55 kills in their upset attempt against La Verne (8-1). Cornell had chances late to win each of the final two sets, but the Leopards were able to prevail.
 
Ilah Perez-Johnson registered a match-high 19 kills. Carly Puffer had a strong .303 hitting match with 14 kills, while also producing five blocks. Ella McLaughlin provided a boost with nine kills in her return to the lineup.
 
Ella Becker led all players with 24 digs, followed by Kensie Staats with 15. Green had 36 assists. La Verne posted a .232 attack percentage to Cornell's .160.
 
Gustavus Adolphus (7-5) limited the Rams to .050 hitting in the opening match. First-year Ally Olmstead paced Cornell's attack with nine kills.
 
Becker tallied 16 digs. Green and Perez-Johnson each served two aces.