MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's youthful lineup showed flashes in big moments Wednesday night in a home-opening showdown with Dubuque inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
The hotly-contested battle between 2024 NCAA Tournament qualifiers went in favor of the visiting Spartans, who prevailed in four sets – 25-22, 23-25, 25-18 and 27-25 – to stay unbeaten this season.
 
Cornell (3-1) made a valiant push in the decisive fourth set before Dubuque (5-0) was able to hang. Both teams received national votes in this week's AVCA Top 25 Poll.
 
The Rams had seven first-year players get into the action against the defending American Rivers Conference Tournament champions. Newcomer Sully Downey gave the Rams a spark in Set 4 with seven consecutive service points – including three aces – that brought the Rams even at 17-17.
 
Cornell then rallied from a 24-20 deficit and had it tied at 25-25 before the comeback stalled. It was Dubuque's first win over the Rams since 2019.  
 
Sophomore Mia Tubbs led the Rams with 16 kills, followed by first-year teammate Ashlin Nottestad with 11 and sophomore Ally Olmstead with eight.
 
Ella Becker and first-year Hannah Cantwell totaled 25 and 22 digs, respectively. Freshman Selia Stein posted a team-high seven blocks.
 
Nia Howard handed out 28 assists for a Cornell attack that hit .107, to Dubuque's .167. Downey accounted for all four of Cornell's aces on the night.   
 
Delainey Winkel paced the Spartans with 17 kills and 14 digs.
 
Coming up – The Rams host No. 13 nationally-ranked UW-Platteville (3-1) at 7 p.m. Friday.