MOUNT VERNON – The 12-time defending Midwest Conference volleyball champions are projected to continue their hardware-hoisting ways as the clear favorite to win the MWC this fall.  
 
The Rams received 64 points in the 2025 MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll, including eight first-place votes in the nine-team league. In-state rival Grinnell is picked second with 55 points.
 
Cornell is on the heels of its fourth consecutive undefeated season in MWC play and finished 19-12 overall. The Rams advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 11th time in 14 years.
 
"This group has worked very hard to prepare for the 2025 season," said 24th-year head coach Jeff Meeker, who enters the season with 498 collegiate victories, highlighted by a 437-267 mark with the Rams. "We will certainly look a little bit different on the court. But we think we have the pieces to put together an outstanding team that will be very fun to watch."
 
The Rams open play this weekend at the Grinnell Tournament. Cornell plays Buena Vista at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by Saturday matches against Macalester at 1 p.m. and Carroll at 3 p.m.
 
The home opener is Sept. 3 against Dubuque. The Rams also have early home dates against 13th-ranked UW-Platteville Sept. 5 and rival Coe Sept. 10.
 
The Rams will retool without two all-time greats in three-time all-American outside hitter Ilah Perez-Johnson (488 kills in 2024) and 2024 MWC Player of the Year Clare Green (4,157 career assists). The team must also replace all-MWC middle blocker Carly Puffer in the starting lineup.
 
Cornell brings back four starters, anchored by first team all-MWC libero Ella Becker. The senior ranks No. 5 on the program's career digs list (1,490) and No. 2 in serve percentage (96.5).
 
The Rams have impressive size in the front row with the return of 6-foot-2 sophomore Ally Olmstead (214 kills, 105 blocks in 2024), 6-2 fifth-year Kiana Manson (163 kills) and 6-3 sophomore Mia Tubbs (186 kills, 76 blocks). Setter Nia Howard (190 digs) and Kensie Staats (223 digs), both juniors, were regular starters last season.
 
"We return great leaders and a group of returning players who have been committed to each other," Meeker said. "We also have a talented group of new players who fit very well into our team dynamic. We'll have a lot of size, depth and competition in the gym."
 
The Rams, who played nine nationally-ranked opponents last season, will again be tested throughout the fall. No. 13 UW-Platteville, No. 19 Illinois Wesleyan and No. 22 UW-Eau Claire are preseason Top 25 teams, while Coe, Gustavus Adolphus, Calvin and UW-Stevens Point are receiving national votes.
 
"We will play a challenging schedule again," Meeker said. "And we expect the overall competitiveness within the conference to be as good or better than ever."