If Cornell cleans up their play, they can be competitive

With each time on the court, the Cornell volleyball program is gaining more experience and is beginning to play to their full capabilities.

Sept. 11 vs. Flambeau conference (L 3-1) The Chiefs were ready for Flambeau, who came to call, but got off to a slow start, dropping the first set, 25-10. They came back to fight their way to victory in the second set, 25-23, but that would be it and Flambeau took the remaining sets, 2516 and 25-14.

“Flambeau was a learning experience for us,” said coach Grace Grunseth. “We had the capability to beat this team; however, our errors gave them too many points.”

Senior Ishani Foulk led the team on kills, with 7, while senior Mariah Meeler, and freshmen Ashlynn Short and Audrey Sime each had 3 kills. Foulk also ended with aces, 3, with sophomore Willow Kobliska notching 2.

On blocking, Short had 3, while Foulk and sophomore Lauryn Sime each added a block. Senior Kallee Dekarske and Foulk each added 6 digs on the night, with Meeler right behind, with 5. Dekarse also led in assists, with 8, with Foulk chipping in with 5 assists.

As a team, Cornell had eight serving errors, which helped Flambeau get the edge over the Chiefs.

“I am looking forward to playing them later in the season,” said Grunseth, “as hopefully, we can clean up our play a bit, which will make us a much more competitive team.”

Sept. 18 vs. New Auburn conference (L 0-3) A week later, New Auburn came to call, with them hot right out of the gate, claiming the sets, 25-8, 25-15 and 25-7.

“New Auburn just came out swinging and we played on our heels a bit,” said Grunseth, adding that nerves played a factor in the game. “They are a very good team and will probably make a run for the conference title this season. However, if we played to our full potential, these games should have been much closer.”

Sept. 20 vs. Birchwood conference (W 2-1) The Chiefs then headed to Winter, for a tournament, facing off first with Birchwood, a familiar conference foe. Cornell dropped the first set, 25-23, but rallied to take the second set, 25-16, and walked away with the third set, for the win, 15-8.

“A lot of our upperclassmen stepped up to lead and our underclassmen played with much more ease,” said Grunseth.

Sept. 20 vs. Siren non-conference (L 2-1) Up next, was Siren, who took the first set, 25-20, but Cornell brought in the second set, 25-20. Siren wasn’t done and went on to win the third set, 15-8.

Sept. 20 vs. Frederic conference (L 2-1) Finally, the Chiefs faced off with Frederic, with their opponents claiming the first set, 25-13. Cornell pulled off the victory in the second set, 25-16, but Frederic came back to win the third set, 15-12.

“Overall, the tournament was a success,” said Grunseth. “I feel that this tournament was a big confidence booster for the girls, as they are able to see that they can play with any team, as long as they limit their errors and play as a team.”