O’Connor, Weber net volleyball honors

Cornell swept this week's Iowa Conference volleyball honors as sophomore Kathleen O'Connor was named IIAC Hitter of the Week and freshman Kylea Weber the Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Week for the period ending Sept. 18.

O'Connor and Weber helped lead the Rams to a pair of nonconference road wins last week. Cornell rallied from an 0-2 deficit to beat St. Ambrose in five sets Wednesday, and then rolled to a 3-0 sweep over Augustana Friday night.

The Rams extended their winning streak to five matches. Cornell's 9-1 record equals the program's best start during Jeff Meeker's 10 years as head coach.

O'Connor, a 6-foot outside hitter, totaled 26 kills (3.25 kps), 21 digs (2.62 dps), seven aces and three block assists last week. She hit .355 with just four errors in 62 attack attempts. O'Connor posted a double-double against St. Ambrose with 14 kills and 15 digs.

Weber collected a team-high 47 digs from her libero position, including a season-high 25 against St. Ambrose. She connected on all 27 of her service attempts in the two matches.

O'Connor leads the IIAC in aces with 0.67 per set. She stands ninth in kills (3.09 kps). Weber ranks fifth in the league in digs (4.12 dps).

The Rams (0-1 IIAC) return to IIAC play Friday night against Buena Vista in Storm Lake. Cornell hosts Ashford in a junior varsity/varsity doubleheader Saturday starting with the JV match at 2 p.m.