SALEM, Ore. - The Corban University volleyball team couldn't recover from 16 service errors and dropped a five-set (25-14, 17-25, 25-19, 22-25, 15-12) heartbreaker to Oregon Tech on Saturday evening in a Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) affair.

In the first set, freshman outside hitter Shantelle Hill (Pasco, Wash.) jumpstarted the Warriors (5-15, 2-11 CCC) to a 3-2 lead with two straight service aces. After a kill by senior outside hitter Miah Smith (Albany, Ore.) tied the set at four apiece, the Owls committed two-straight attack errors to give Corban a two point lead. Oregon Tech used a balanced offensive attack to ignite a 13-2 run to take a nine point lead. With the Owls ahead 24-14, sophomore middle blocker Madisen Garlie swung in for a kill to win the first set for Oregon Tech (20-8, 6-6 CCC).

In set two, Corban raced to a 15-7 lead capped by a service ace by sophomore setter Haley Meili (Eugene, Ore.). Leading 17-9, Hill continued to serve the ball effectively, notching two-straight aces to give the Warriors a double-digit lead. Meili's desperate attack attempt barely sailed over the net and dropped on the Owl hardwood to bring Corban to set point (24-17), and Hill swooped in for a kill to win the set for the Navy and Gold.

Set three saw another hot start by Corban, as freshman middle blocker Sloane Morrison (Edmonds, Wash.) attacked for a kill to put the Warriors ahead 7-4. After Oregon Tech called a timeout, the Owls responded to score eight of the next 11 points to reclaim the lead, 12-10. A kill by Hill and consecutive kills by senior outside hitter Claire Bailey (Santa Rosa, Calif.) placed the Warriors in front, 13-12, but that would be Corban's final lead of the set. The Owls took advantage of seven Corban mishaps to close the set on a 13-6 run.

A seesaw battle in the fourth frame saw nine ties and five lead changes. Freshman middle blocker Bethany Filipenko was the spark Corban needed, notching a kill and then a block to give the Warriors a 15-13 fourth-set lead. The Navy and Gold managed to keep the lead until Oregon Tech sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Sampson swung in for a kill to put the Owls ahead, 18-17. The Warriors played catchup until finally regaining the lead, 23-22, after Hill dialed in a kill, and Oregon Tech went on to commit two-straight attack errors to deliver the fourth set to Corban.

In the fifth set, Corban struck first, as Hill connected with Meili and sent a ball into the Oregon Tech defense. Unfortunately for the Warriors, it would be their only lead of the stanza, as the Owls managed to stay ahead thanks to the offense of Sampson. She attacked for six kills in the frame to lift Oregon Tech to a 13-10 fifth-set lead. A kill by Smith brought Corban to within two (14-12), but Oregon Tech senior outside hitter Renee Baumann delivered the attack point that granted the Owls the victory.

"After a slow start, the team remain determined and fought hard through the five sets," commented Corban head volleyball coach Tracy Smith.

Before the match, Smith was honored by Oregon Tech with flowers and gifts due to her dedication to the CCC and hard work throughout the years.

The Warrior offense was led by Hill, as she notched her seventh double-double of the 2014 campaign with 15 kills and a season-high 20 digs. In addition, she set a new personal-best with six service aces. Smith notched a new career-high with 17 kills, while Bailey also benefited Corban's attack with 13 kills.

Meili continued to direct the Navy and Gold's offense with 46 assists. Corban's back row also received solid efforts from senior libero Katherine Salness (Portland, Ore.) and senior defensive specialist Karisa Legg (Murrieta, Calif.), as they notched 18 and 10 digs, respectively.

The Owls were led by Sampson's 16 kills and 21 digs. Sophomore setter Tori Porter also recorded a double-double with 20 assists and 12 digs.

As a team, Corban notched 57 kills and attacked for a 0.169 hitting percentage. Meanwhile, the Owls attacked for 0.182 clip and compiled 50 kills.

The Warriors return to action on Oct. 24 to take on Northwest Christian University in Eugene, Ore. at 7 p.m.