MOUNT VERNON – They didn't come easy, but Cornell's volleyball team will gladly take three consecutive wins going into a 12-day layoff.
 
The Rams completed a 3-0 homestand with a pair of victories at Saturday's triangular inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Cornell rallied past American Rivers Conference leader Nebraska Wesleyan 21-25, 25-19, 27-25, 25-17 in the day's opening match. The Rams then needed five sets to finish off an 18-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-11, 15-10 comeback over Macalester.
 
On Wednesday night, Cornell outlasted Loras in five sets. All three home wins saw the Rams overcome set deficits. Cornell won't be back on its home court until Oct. 26.
 
The Rams, who are receiving national votes in the AVCA Top 25 Poll, entered the home stretch having dropped eight consecutive matches. They now find themselves building momentum at 7-10 overall.
 
Cornell recorded 14 team blocks against Nebraska Wesleyan (11-3), which came in with a six-match winning streak. Mia Tubbs, Ally Olmstead and Carly Puffer accounted for six assisted blocks apiece  
 
Olmstead hit an efficient .348 with 11 kills, while Puffer planted 10 spikes. The Rams received double-doubles from Ilah Perez-Johnson (13 kills, 15 digs) and Clare Green (39 assists, 11 digs). Ella Becker collected a match-high 21 digs.
 
The Rams bounced back from a 2-0 sets deficit against Macalester (9-6) with three convincing wins. The 6-foot-2 Olmstead had another tremendous match, slamming a career-high 14 kills. Puffer provided 11 kills and eight blocks.
 
Green distributed 47 assists to go with 13 digs. Perez-Johnson turned in 14 kills and 14 digs. Kiana Manson gave Cornell a spark off the bench with nine kills and four blocks.
 
Cornell was sharp in the service game against the Scots with Ella McLaughlin firing six of the team's 10 aces. The Rams finished with 80 digs, including 21 from Becker and 14 from Nia Howard.
 
Coming up – The Rams are on the road for their next five matches, starting Oct. 11 with a 7 p.m. nonconference contest at UW-Platteville, which is receiving national votes.