INDIANOLA – Cornell endured a rare off night offensively and lost its first volleyball match in more than three weeks – 25-11, 25-23 and 25-22 – against American Rivers Conference foe Simpson Monday night at Cowles Fieldhouse.
 
Simpson (11-6) ran away with the opening set before the Rams settled in for the next two. But it wasn't quite enough for Cornell (8-8) to extend a six-match winning streak.  
 
An Ashlin Nottestad spike put the Rams in good position in Set 2, leading 22-19. Simpson responded with six unanswered points to close out the set.
 
Cornell hung around despite trailing most of the third set and pulled within 23-22. The Storm stopped the comeback with consecutive kills to win the match.
 
Simpson totaled 40 kills on the night and held the Rams to a season-low -.018 attack percentage. Ally Olmstead paced Cornell with eight kills, followed by Nottestad with six. Olmstead led all players with six blocks. Nottestad added a team-best 13 digs.  
 
Cornell sophomore Hannah Cantwell delivered a match-high four aces and also had 12 digs. Nia Howard dished 13 assists.  
 
Coming up – The Rams carry a 3-0 Midwest Conference record into Friday's 7 p.m. home match against Monmouth (5-12 overall, 2-2 MWC) in the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.