Senior libero Emily Witz reached double figures in digs for the 20th time in 21 matches this season but the Lake Forest College volleyball team was defeated 25-17, 25-20, 25-23 by Cornell College at home on Saturday.
Witz finished with 18 digs and did not commit a receiving error in 21 chances. Junior Olivia Rhodes added a dozen digs and tallied 22 assists on the afternoon. Senior Grace Larson led the home team with 13 kills and junior Hannah Hornacek chipped in with eight kills and a team-high three aces.
The Foresters led the opening set by five points early on and by a score of 12-10 before the Rams took charge with a 12-2 run. The teams traded points the rest of the way.
Set two was similar, with the home team leading by four in the early going and 12-11 before Cornell pulled ahead with a 6-2 run. Kills by Rhodes and Hornacek trimmed the margin to three at 20-17 but the Foresters got no closer.
Lake Forest also started strong in the third and final set, taking the first four points. The visitors closed to within one at 13-12 before three straight points by the Foresters widened the gap to four. The home team had a 23-20 lead before Cornell rallied for five consecutive points to take the set and the match.
The Foresters are now 9-12 overall and 2-1 in Midwest Conference play this season. It was the 31st consecutive conference victory for Cornell , which improved to 9-7 overall and 4-0 in the league.
Lake Forest will continue MWC play in Wisconsin next weekend, visiting Lawrence University Friday night at 7:00 and St. Norbert College at 1:00 Saturday afternoon.
