Rams resume IIAC play this week vs. Loras, Wartburg

Cornell ran into a pair of regionally-ranked foes and dropped both ends of a double dual Saturday in Cedar Rapids.

The Rams fell 6-3 in the opener to UW-La Crosse, rated 16th in the Central Region. Cornell faced 12th-ranked Coe in the nightcap, falling 9-0 in the IIAC opener for both squads.

Cornell (2-5 overall, 0-1 IIAC) picked up a pair of wins from freshman Orion Wilkinson (Clayton, Mo./Clayton) in the UW-La Crosse dual. Wilkinson posted a 6-1, 6-4 victory over CJ Schwind at No. 6 singles. He also teamed with junior Neal Klauer (Fridley, Minn./Fridley) for an 8-3 win at No. 3 doubles.

Freshman Samuel O'Donnell (Cedar Rapids/Washington) accounted for Cornell's other singles win, rallying past Peter Stadum in three sets 2-6, 6-4 and 10-8.

Coe took every singles set against the Rams. Cornell fell 8-4 at No. 1 and 2 doubles. Klauer and Wilkinson lost an 8-5 match at No. 3 doubles.

Coming up – Friday, Feb. 18, at Waverly, vs. Loras College (0-4, 0-1 IIAC), 3 p.m., vs. Wartburg College (1-3, 0-0 IIAC), 6 p.m.

The Rams resume Iowa Conference dual play Friday in Waverly. Cornell scored 8-1 victories over both Loras and Wartburg last spring.

Cornell match results

UW-La Crosse 6, Cornell 3 (Feb. 12, at Cedar Rapids)

Coe 9, Cornell 0 (Feb. 12, at Cedar Rapids)