WALLA WALLA, Wash. - The Corban University volleyball team continued Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play on Sunday afternoon on the road against Walla Walla, and thanks to a strong team effort, the Warriors reigned victorious in straight sets (25-16, 25-18, 25-23).
"We started out strong, but seemed to let down as the game progressed," said head coach Kim McLain. "I was proud of how we battled tough, finding a win on the road."
On the day, Corban registered an overall attack percentage of .151, hitting for its best percentage of .361 in the first set. In that first stanza, Corban jumped out to 7-1 lead thanks to kills from sophomore outside-hitter Amber Parker (Albany, Ore.) and junior middle-blocker Hannah Olson (Coos Bay, Ore.). The Warriors extended that lead to 19-9 and eventually finished off the set comfortably.
Set two was more of the same as the Warriors jumped out in front early, but the Wolves kept it close, closing to within four points at 18-14 and 21-17. The Navy and Gold closed out the set confidently with a pair of big kills from sophomore middle-blocker Sloane Morrison (Edmonds, Wash.), however, winning by seven points.
The third stanza was much different, as with Walla Walla up against the wall knowing it needed to win, the Wolves really challenged Corban and took the Warriors to the brink. After a few lead changes, the set was eventually tied up at 19 apiece. The two sides traded points after that, and the set was once again tied at 23-23, but a service error from the Wolves and then a kill from Warrior junior outside-hitter Kelly Cruise (Salem, Ore.) finished off the match for Corban, sealing its first CCC victory since October 3.
Not only was the win a big confidence booster, but the triumph could prove vital as the Warriors move into the final stretch of CCC matches with six opponents to play. Four of those matches will be played in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center. Corban is currently tied for fifth in the CCC standings. Six teams make it to the CCC Tournament.
On the day, freshman setter Madison McLain (Albany, Ore.) registered a team-best 41 assists, dishing out a number of those to Parker who totaled a team-best 16 kills on the day. Defensively, the tandem of sophomore Haley Wells (Albany, Ore.) and freshman defensive-specialist McKenzie Kolomyjec (Puyallup, Wash.) combined for 31 total digs between the two, with Wells notching a team-best 17.
Corban (9-11, 7-7 CCC) returns home from its four-game road swing this week to host Northwest University and The Evergreen State College on Friday and Saturday, respectively. First serve on Friday is set for 7 p.m., while Saturday is set for 5 p.m. Be sure to follow along via live stats and the live video broadcast.
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