MOUNT VERNON, Iowa-- The Wartburg volleyball team (7-6 overall) won both of its matches Friday at Cornell's Classic. The Knights defeated host-Cornell 3-1 and swept Grinnell in the night cap.

Against the Rams, the Orange and Black took the first set (25-17), Cornell won the second set (25-22) and Wartburg claimed the last two (25-16, 25-18). Senior Lizzy Blough (Dike) led all hitters with 16 kills. Classmate Mallary Erbes (Urbandale) had 39 assists and 14 digs. Sophomore Sydney Rottinghaus (Mason City) had a career-high 22 digs. Two other teammates had double digit digs as junior Hanna Halverson (Gilbertville) had 19 and Blough had 15.

Defensively, the Knights held the Rams to .030 hitting percentage. Each team had seven service aces, and Erbes tied her career-high with four. The Orange and Black held the other team advantages, including blocks (12-7).

Against the Pioneers, Wartburg won 25-10, 25-15, 25-22. Freshman Jayme Willemssen (Waverly) had nine kills, Erbes had 13 assists, and Halverson had 11 digs. The Knights owned all of the team advantages, including service aces (11-1), and once again held their opponents to a .031 hitting percentage.

The Orange and Black conclude competition in this tournament Saturday at 2 p.m. against UW-River Falls.