JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Cornell's volleyball team began its Midwest Conference title defense Friday night with a 3-1 victory over Illinois College inside Sherman Gymnasium.
The preseason favorite to win their 14th consecutive MWC regular-season championship, the Rams (5-7 overall, 1-0 MWC) started on the right track in recording their 24th straight series win over Illinois College (6-7 overall, 0-1 MWC).
The Lady Blues won the first set 25-16. The Rams then caught fire taking the next three set 25-20, 25-14 and 25-11 to wrap up the victory.
The Rams had a 45-36 advantage in kills over the Lady Blues.
Mia Tubbs led the way for Cornell with 13 kills on .423 hitting.
Ashlin Nottestad added nine kills,
Ally Olmstead finished with eight and
Hannah Cantwell ended with seven.
Senior
Nia Howard picked up her 190
th career serving ace to move into a tie with Katherine Devlin for #4 all-time for the Rams. Cornell finished with nine aces, led by Cantwell with three.
Cornell finished with 36 assists; sophomore
Grace Tverberg led the Rams with 19 assists and Howard handed out 12.
Kensie Staats led Cornell with 17 digs, followed by Cantwell with 12.
Coming up – Cornell travels to play MWC foe Knox at 1 p.m. Saturday in Galesburg, Ill.
