MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – The Loras College women's volleyball team fell to Cornell College in straight sets Wednesday night inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
Cornell jumped out quickly in the opening set, using an extended service run to build a 15-2 advantage. Cydney Tath helped provide offense for the Duhawks with three kills during the frame, but the Rams maintained control on their way to a 25-7 opening-set victory.
Loras responded with its best push of the night in the second set. Trailing 17-10, the Duhawks put together a 6-2 stretch that included kills from Alyssa Purvis, Kyra Kuehn and Cat Meyer to pull within 19-16. Loras later fought off three set points to make it 24-20 before Cornell finished the set, 25-20.
The Duhawks grabbed their first lead of the match to begin the third set, going ahead 2-0 behind a Cornell attack error and a Kuehn kill. The Rams eventually took control, but Loras continued to battle late, with Tath and McKenna Carroll helping the Duhawks score three straight points while facing match point before Cornell closed out the 25-17 decision.
Cydney Tath led the Loras attack with eight kills, while Alyssa Purvis added five kills on eight attempts for a team-best .625 hitting percentage. Isabel Hart dished out 16 assists and tied Cat Meyer for the team lead with nine digs.
As a team, the Duhawks finished with 25 kills and 33 digs while hitting .139 for the match. Cornell totaled 43 kills and hit .404 on the night.
Up Next: The Duhawks return to the Lillis Athletic and Wellness Center on Friday, Sept. 25, to take on Alverno College. Match time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
