Cornell starts season strong with pair of wins

There wasn’t anything rusty about the Cornell volleyball squad, as the girls played the first two teams this season, taking both match-ups.

Sept. 15 vs. Birchwood conference (W 3-0)

Cornell hosted the first game of the week, going up against conference opponent Birchwood.

“The girls were excited to play and even more ready to compete,” said coach Amy Lorenzen. “We had little time to prepare, but they overcame this by playing as a team and staying positive.

The Chiefs jumped out to an early lead and the scores refl ect that. Birchwood couldn’t overcome the onslaught and Cornell walked away with the sets, 25-18, 25-16 and 25-12.

Leading the way, were senior Michaiah Galster and junior Jayda Turchen, each with 6 kills, while freshman Makya Heatherington had 5 kills. Galster and Heatherington also added 8 assists each, and Heatherington contributed 10 digs and 3 aces.

Galster also ended with 3 aces, with Turchen recording 5 aces and 7 digs.

Sept. 15 vs. New Auburn conference (W 3-0)

Two days later, Cornell hit the road, for an away match at New Auburn. The Chiefs took the first set in a landslide victory, 25-7, but New Auburn rallied to make the second set a closer contest, 25-18.

Cornell dominated again in the third and final set, 25-10, and came home with a 3-0 win and two conference victories under their belt.

Galster and Turchen again led on kills, with 5 each, while Galster added 10 assists and 2 aces. Heatherington and freshman Brooke Anderson were strong at the line, with 9 and 8 aces, respectively.

“We are excited about the great things this squad is going to accomplish together,” said Lorenzen.