Monmouth served notice they'll be a force to be reckoned with in the Midwest Conference after nearly knocking off the defending champions on their own court before falling 3-1 at Cornell.
 
The Scots opened league play Wednesday night and promptly took the Rams in the opening set 25-22. Cornell rallied back, taking a 25-16 Set 2 decision, but had to outlast the Scots in the final two sets after seniors Lauren Sperry and Ashley Farris combined for 29 kills – 16 by Sperry. Cornell rallied from an early Set 3 deficit to win 25-22 and finished the match with a 25-23 win after facing a 16-10 hole.
 
Monmouth continues league play Saturday at St. Norbert before returning home to host Illinois College Tuesday night in the Scots' MWC home opener.