Cornell’s volleyball team secured a berth in the Midwest Conference Tournament and concluded an unbeaten October with Saturday’s resounding 25-13, 25-11, 25-8 sweep at Lawrence.
Ranked No. 23 nationally, the Rams (18-6, 6-0 MWC) rolled to a 9-0 record in the month, capturing 27 of the 31 sets played. Cornell stretched its Midwest Conference regular-season winning streak to 22 consecutive matches.
The Rams maintain sole possession of first place in the conference, followed by Illinois College (6-1) and Lake Forest (6-2). Cornell has victories over both teams.
With a win on Wednesday night at Grinnell, Cornell would clinch its 11th consecutive regular-season title. First serve is at 7 p.m.
Ilah Perez-Johnson hit a sizzling .714 for the match and eclipsed 1,000 career kills with her 15-kill performance. The senior outside hitter joined a short list of Rams to record 1,000 kills (1,014), 1,000 digs (1,020), and 150 aces (155) in a career. Hall of Famer Kathleen O’Connor (2010-13) and Kristin Paczosa (2006-09) are the only other Rams to achieve the feat.
Cornell posted a blistering .420 attack percentage, their best team effort in a match this season. Lawrence (5-21, 2-5 MWC) was held to a chilly -.061 hitting, their worst hitting percentage in 2023.
Carly Puffer collected 10 kills on .444 hitting and Kiana Manson added seven kills. Clare Green dished out 21 assists, while Green and Nia Howard compiled two aces. Ella Becker led the way in digs with 11.
Earlier in the week, the Rams overcame Lake Forest in a five match set by scores of 25-22, 23-25, 25-19, 14-25, 15-9.
Lake Forest had taken momentum after a decisive win in Set 4 and led 8-6 in the fifth. Ilah Perez-Johnson served three consecutive points that pushed Cornell ahead and the Rams finished the match with a 9-1 blitz.
Fifth-year Grace Marti slammed points No. 13 and 14 on middle attacks, and then teamed with Kiana Manson for the match-clinching block.
Perez-Johnson had another terrific performance with 17 kills and 20 digs. The senior all-American became the 11th member of Cornell’s 1,000-dig club (1,016) and raised her career kills total to 999.
Carly Puffer and Manson delivered seven kills apiece, while Puffer also posted a team-high five blocks. Clare Green handed out 32 assists and Ella Becker provided 18 digs. Kensie Staats added 11 digs.
The Rams were held to .096 hitting against a hot Lake Forest team that had won nine of its last 10 contests going in.