ITHACA, N.Y. — The Dartmouth volleyball team was strong start-to-finish and used a comeback in the final set to down Cornell on its home court Saturday evening.
 
The Big Green's prolific attack that registered a .327 hitting percentage, clearing the .300 mark for a fifth time this season, was paced by Kauany Gutz. The freshman went for a career-high 15 kills on just 28 attacks (.429). Ellie Blain and Bomi Ogunlari combined for 23 kills and were also incredibly efficient. Ogunlari hit .667 with 12 attacks for a second consecutive match.
 
That trio of attackers were the main targets for Makenzie Arent, who earned a third double-double of the season with 22 assists and 12 digs. Both figures were team-highs.
 
"I'm so proud of our team this weekend for showing our resilience and grit," head coach Gilad Doron said. "Kauany was playing great. Her energy and competitive spirit helped energize our entire team tonight. Bomi was efficient as can be and Ellie came with great swings late in game three to help us close it in three sets. Makenzie and Karen both played strong defensively and made great decisions on offense."
 
The come-from-behind effort in the third allowed the Big Green (12-5, 4-3) to seal the victory in straight sets. Cornell (3-13, 1-6) looked to be on its way to forcing a fourth game with a 16-11 lead until Gutz and Blain took over and lifted Dartmouth to a 20-18 advantage. The Big Red battled back to eventually tie the set, 21-21, but kills from Natalie Grover, Ogunlari and Gutz brought match point, which culminated in Cornell's attack error.
 
Dartmouth set the tone for the victory early and was able to build a lead midway through the first set with a stretch that included kills by Piper Stevens and Blain, eventually delivering a 20-15 lead for the visitors. Back-to-back kills by Stevens and Ogunlari were Dartmouth's answer to a Big Red tally, and Ava Roberts swing at set point closed the game. A .486 hitting was the catalyst for the Big Green's strong start.
 
Tied 21-all in the ensuing game, Gutz notched back-to-back kills to give Dartmouth a late advantage. Cornell's attack error and Blain's subsequent swing gave the Big Green a 25-22 second-set win.
 
Following back-to-back road wins, Dartmouth returns home to Leede Arena to take on Harvard on Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. It will be the program's annual Dig Pink match.