Storm knock off Cornell in four

MOUNT VERNON - Taylor Helton hit .300 with 12 kills, Ashley Padget distributed 39 assists and Simpson knocked off Cornell, 3-1 (25-20, 17-25, 25-18, 25-14) on Wednesday.

The Storm (14-16, 5-3 IIAC) closed the conference schedule with their fourth league win in a row after beginning the season 1-3. The first team in the IIAC to finish its conference slate, Simpson is assured a spot in the IIAC Tournament and could finish as high as third in the standings. Simpson is currently fourth, percentage points behind Cornell.

Simpson hit .185 as a team, holding Cornell below .100 in the final two sets after dropping set two. Amy Schuster joined Helton with 12 kills, Megan Dunlavy buried 11 kills and hit .370. Padgett and Schuster had four service aces each, while Helton and Monica Driscoll scooped 18 digs.

Kathleen O'Connor had 11 kills to lead the Rams (16-16, 5-2 IIAC). Kirtley Hitt helped out on seven block assists as part of a Cornell defense which totaled 11 blocks on the night.