MOUNT VERNON – Cornell set a new program benchmark with six players recognized on the 2025 All-Midwest Conference Volleyball Teams, as announced Thursday by the MWC office.
 
The Rams landed four players on the All-MWC First Team with senior libero Ella Becker, junior setter Nia Howard, sophomore middle blocker Ally Olmstead and freshman middle blocker/rightside hitter Selia Stein.
 
The last time Cornell had four first team selections was 1988.
 
Sophomore rightside hitter Mia Tubbs and freshman outside hitter Hannah Cantwell were honored on the All-MWC Second Team.
 
Becker earned all-conference accolades for the third consecutive year and repeated as a first team honoree. A fourth-year starter at libero, Becker led all MWC players with 4.57 digs per set.
 
Becker enters the postseason No. 3 on Cornell's all-time digs list with 1,952. She leads the Rams with a 97.0 serve percentage (327-for-337) this fall.
 
Olmstead, a second team choice in 2024, finished the regular season third in the MWC in blocks (0.77 bps) and fifth in attack percentage (.236). She hit a robust .389 in MWC play. Olmstead has scored a team-high 278.5 points while averaging 2.26 kills per set.
 
Howard emerged as the league's most dominant server with 75 aces through the regular season, only seven shy of the school record. She ranks eighth nationally in total aces. Howard is also among the MWC leaders with a team-high 5.1 assists per set.
 
Stein has made her presence felt at the net during an impressive rookie season. The three-time MWC Defensive Performer of the Week ranks seventh nationally with an MWC-best 115 blocks (1.16 bps). Stein is hitting .212 with 1.26 kills per set.
 
Cantwell displayed her versatility with 298 digs (2.9 dps), 200 kills (2.0 kps), 36 aces and 25 blocks. The first-year has scored 250.5 points and posted four double-doubles (kills-digs).
 
The 6-foot-3 Tubbs ranks among the MWC's Top 15 in hitting percentage (.182), kills (2.20 kps), blocks (0.66 bps) and points (256.5). She's a key figure on the league's top blocking team this season.
 
Coach Jeff Meeker's Rams (17-10) won their 13th consecutive MWC regular-season title with an 8-0 mark. Cornell hosts the MWC Tournament, which begins with a 7 p.m. semifinal Friday against Illinois College (10-20) at the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.