GRINNELL – Cornell's young volleyball team handed veteran coach Jeff Meeker his 500th career victory during an undefeated 3-0 weekend at the season-opening Grinnell Invitational.
 
Meeker reached the 500-win milestone with Saturday's 25-17, 28-26, 25-14 victory over Macalester, which was followed up by a 14-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20 comeback over Carroll. The Rams swept Buena Vista on Friday night by scores of 25-14, 25-19, 25-22.
 
Meeker, a nine-time Conference Coach of the Year, raised his career record to 501-332 in 28 seasons at the collegiate level. He coached four years at NAIA's Iowa Wesleyan College from 1995-98.
 
Cornell's all-time winningest coach in any sport, Meeker has fashioned a 440-267 record in 24 years on the Hilltop. The program has claimed 12 conference regular-season championships and qualified for the NCAA Tournament 11 times since his arrival in 2002.
 
Fielding one of Meeker's youngest teams in many years, the 2025 Rams showed depth and balance with several newcomers in the rotation.   
 
First-year Ashlin Nottestad and sophomores Ally Olmstead and Mia Tubbs led the attack with 24 kills apiece on the weekend. Freshman Hannah Cantwell registered 22 total kills. Nottestad hit at an impressive .345 clip.
 
Nia Howard and first-year Grace Tverberg dished 51 and 34 assists, respectively. Howard also served nine aces in three matches, sharing team-high honors with Kensie Staats, who had five aces in the Macalester contest.
 
All-conference libero Ella Becker led the team with 43 total digs. Olmstead, Lizzy Kaus and first-year Selia Stein all accounted for seven blocks in the tournament.
 
Coming up – The Rams play host to Dubuque in the home opener at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.