MOUNT VERNON, Iowa — The Ripon volleyball program faced one of its toughest tests to date on Saturday afternoon, falling to #25 Cornell 3-0 at the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Cornell (11-6, 1-0 MWC) took the match by set scores of 25-13, 25-16 and 25-18.
 
After Emily Braun opened the match with an ace, Cornell controlled the remainder of the first set as Ripon (6-14, 0-3 MWC) would not take a lead again until set two. The Cornell lead was 18-9 when Ripon used its first timeout, and the Rams biggest lead was 12 when Ripon dropped the first set 25-13. Cornell hit a scintillating .727 in the opening frame.
 
The teams traded points early in the second set before an 8-0 run gave Cornell a 12-4 lead. For the rest of the middle frame, the closest Ripon would get was 6 at 19-13. From there, the Rams cruised to the set win to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match. Five service aces aided Cornell's efforts in the second set.
 
In set three, Ripon held a pair of leads at 4-3 and 6-5 but Cornell would eventually wear the Red Hawks down to pull ahead and claim the sweep.
 
Ripon was led in kills by Sophia Brinker and her 7 on the day as she hit .462. Brinker and Haylee Kast each had 2 blocks. Braun had 20 assists, while Sam Thrasher had a team-high 9 digs.
 
As a team, Ripon had 24 kills to Cornell's 44. The Rams also held statistical advantages in hitting percentage (.405 to .208), aces (12-4), assists (35-22) and digs (36-26). Ripon had a slight 3-2 advantage in blocks.
 
Ripon now returns home for its first Midwest Conference home match of the season as the Red Hawks face Lake Forest at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 13.
 
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