Volleyball News Releases

Tobben, Hladky named Iowa Conference Performers of the Week

MOUNT VERNON - Cornell College's junior men's cross country runner Andrew Tobben (Washington, Mo./St. Francis Borgia) and sophomore volleyball libero Caiti Hladky (Fort Lupton, Colo./Valley) have been named Iowa Conference Performers of the Week in their respective sports for the period ending Oct. 18.

Tobben was recognized by the IIAC for the second consecutive week and third time this fall. Hladky was honored as the IIAC's Libero of the Week for the first time this season.

Tobben captured the individual title at the Running of the Cows Saturday in Northfield, Minn., marking his third career meet victory and fourth top-five finish of the season. He raced to a winning time of 25 minutes, 49 seconds, setting a personal record over the eight-kilometer distance. Tobben ran away from the 47-man field, beating his closest competitor by 32 seconds. He lowered his previous-best 8K mark by nine seconds. Tobben shaved 35 seconds off his time last year on the same course.

Tobben led the Rams to the team championship with 22 points. Cornell scored a 17-point victory over runner-up Carleton, which is ranked one spot ahead of the Rams at No. 9 in the NCAA Division III Central Region Poll. It was the Rams' second meet title this fall.

Hladky was instrumental in helping Cornell's volleyball team to a 2-0 mark last week. She averaged 4.57 digs and served three aces in convincing road wins over Buena Vista (25-15, 25-10, 25-14) and Augustana (25-16, 21-25, 25-19, 25-21).

Hladky has totaled a team-best 370 digs this season, leading the Rams to an 18-7 overall record. Cornell stands third in the IIAC standings with a 4-2 mark. The Rams' current .720 winning percentage is the program's best in a season since 1988, when they finished 21-7.