Grinnell to face Cornell in opening round of MWC Volleyball Tournament

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - Grinnell College used a late burst of momentum in last Saturday's five-set win at Monmouth College to secure a spot in the Midwest Conference Tournament.

The Pioneers will look to feed off that momentum this weekend when they compete at the event, which is hosted by Cornell College in Mount Vernon. Grinnell earned the fourth seed and will play the top-seeded Rams at 7 p.m. Friday.

Grinnell, making its seventh consecutive trip to the tourney, went 5-3 in league play and is 13-16 overall. Cornell, ranked 25th nationally, went through conference play with an 8-0 mark and is 20-7 in all matches.

Just last week, Grinnell and Cornell slugged it out in a four-set thriller before the Rams emerged victorious. Cornell slipped out a 27-25 victory in the opening set before Grinnell tied it with a 25-21 win. The Rams then posted victories of 26-24 and 25-20 to seal the match.

Millie Leonard '27 and Jenna Keller '24 were impressive at the net for Grinnell, posting 18 and 16 kills, respectively. Emily Brewer '24 added 42 assists and three aces and Malaina Miles '24 posted four blocks. In the digs department, Sophie Weber '25 had 33 and Emmy Nyquist '24, Keller and Brewer added 14 each.

Friday's winner will meet either Lake Forest College or Illinois College in Saturday's title match, with that winner earning the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

MWC Tournament Page

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Players Mentioned

#14 Emily Brewer: S; 5' 8"; Senior

#13 Jenna Keller: OH/RS; 6' 0"; Senior

#3 Malaina Miles: MB; 6' 2"; Senior

#9 Emmy Nyquist: DS; 5' 5"; Senior

#15 Sophie Weber: DS; 5' 9"; Junior

#8 Millie Leonard: OH/RS; 5' 10"; First-Year

Players Mentioned

#14 Emily Brewer
: 5' 8"; Senior
: S

#13 Jenna Keller
: 6' 0"; Senior
: OH/RS

#3 Malaina Miles
: 6' 2"; Senior
: MB

#9 Emmy Nyquist
: 5' 5"; Senior
: DS

#15 Sophie Weber
: 5' 9"; Junior
: DS

#8 Millie Leonard
: 5' 10"; First-Year
: OH/RS