MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's volleyball team stayed undefeated on Wednesday, downing the Cornell College Rams 3-1 (25-22, 23-25, 25-18, 27-25) on the road. The Spartans defense stopped the Rams offense with a solo block, 18 assisted blocks and 88 defensive digs including a team and career high 34 from Taylor Bechen.

The two teams who made it to the NCAA tournament just a year ago showcased stellar play with neither team stretching out a large lead all night. Defense held each team's hitting percentage below average with UD finishing .167 and Cornell to .107. The Spartans and the Rams were tied 14 times before Halee Clare capped a five-point run with a kill to secure the first set. The Rams relaxed in the second set with a lead before the Spartans mounted a comeback bid which fell short 23-25.

The third set was evenly matched for the first 28 points, with the Spartans holding a 15-13 lead behind timely kills from Delainey Winkel and Ashley Glennon. From that point on, the third set was all Spartans as they finished the set with a 10-5 run to take a 2-1 set lead. The Spartans jumped out to a commanding 15-6 lead in the fourth set thanks to three kills from Halee Clare and four assists each from Ashlyn McGinnis and Alexis Kammerer. The Rams would not roll over, however, knotting the set up at 17 after a nine-point run with three consecutive aces. Both squads traded points until the fourth set was tied at 24 apiece. Two kills by Glennon and a block by Caitlin Jensen and Megan Cooley secured the 27-25 set and the 3-1 Spartans victory.

Winkel, the A-R-C volleyball offensive Athlete of the Week and overall Female Athlete of the Week was once again outstanding for the Spartans, notching 17 kills, 14 digs, two aces, and a solo block in the match. She extended her double-digit kills streak to five in 2025. Bechen was the top defender on the court, tallying a career-high 34 digs as well as six assists. Five Spartans finished the night with double digit digs. Glennon scored 10 kills on the evening, while Clare and Payton Uptagraft weren't far behind her with eight each. Caitlin Jensen totaled a season-high seven assisted blocks in the match. Kammerer and McGinnis finished with 23 and 19 assists, respectively.

Up Next
The undefeated Spartans (5-0) will compete in the KTIS Classic, hosted by the University of Northwestern (Minn.), this weekend in three matches. On Friday, the Spartans will face St. Olaf College at 4:30 p.m. before a Saturday doubleheader against #17 Millikin University and (RV) University of Northwestern (MN) at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. St. Olaf (2-2) has run a gauntlet to begin the year, with both losses to nationally ranked opponents. #17 Millikin's 1-2 record is deceiving as the Big Blue have faced three nationally ranked opponents to begin the season, including a victory over upcoming foe #13 UW-Platteville. The Eagles of UNW have started 2-1, with their only loss being to A-R-C foe (RV) Coe College.