WAVERLY – Cornell's volleyball team climbed back to the .500 mark with an undefeated Saturday at the Wartburg Invitational, headlined by a 23-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-9 comeback over No. 25 nationally-ranked Carthage inside Levick Arena.
 
The Rams finished the day with a 26-28, 25-22, 25-19, 25-18 victory over Augsburg. Cornell improved to 7-7 on the season heading into conference play next week.
 
First-year outside hitter Ashlin Nottestad came up big with 28 kills on the day, including a collegiate-best 16 on .414 hitting in the battle with Carthage (10-4). Ella Becker recorded a career-high 30 digs in that match.
 
Nottestad and Becker were both honored on the all-tournament team.
 
Nia Howard served Cornell to a 4-0 lead in Set 5 against Carthage and the Rams never looked back. Mia Tubbs delivered four of her 12 kills in the decisive set and teamed with Selia Stein for the match-clinching block.
 
Stein recorded seven blocks, Tubbs six. Howard collected 27 assists, 11 digs and four aces.
 
Howard continued her strong service day with five more aces against Augsburg (6-8), to go along with 20 assists. Cornell limited the Auggies to .040 hitting and posted 12 team blocks, led by Stein's seven.
 
Nottestad and Hannah Cantwell triggered Cornell's attack with 12 kills apiece, followed by Ally Olmstead with 10. The Rams received 23 kills from Becker and 14 from Kensie Staats.
 
Coming up – Cornell opens Midwest Conference play Friday with a test against Lawrence (14-5) at 7 p.m. in Appleton, Wis.