SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University volleyball team extended its home winning streak to five-straight matches, winning on Saturday night in a thrilling straight-set triumph over Warner Pacific College (25-23, 25-20, 29-27). Thanks to an all-around complete team effort, the Warriors sealed the triumph in just three sets, and during the five-match home winning streak, Corban has only lost one set in total during the span.
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"Tonight's match was hard fought on both sides," said head coach Kim McLain. "We have been focusing on defense, and it seemed to pay off tonight! Warner Pacific made some great runs, but we were able to withstand their offensive pressure and come out on top!"
The first stanza really set the tone for the evening, as it was back and forth the entire time, but Warrior freshman setter Madison McLain (Albany, Ore.) came up with the play of the game, jumping high in the air and stuffing a Warner Pacific attack right at the net, putting Corban up 23-22, propelling Corban to the two-point set victory.
In the second set, the Warriors used solid all-around hitting en route to the five-point set victory. As a team, Corban hit for a .371 attack percentage, totaling 16 kills.
Then in the third and final stanza, the Warriors outlasted the Knights in a thrilling 29-27 triumph to seal the match. Both teams had opportunities to win the set, but both teams came up with fantastic defensive plays to keep the set alive, ultimately leading to Corban being up by one, 28-27. Warrior freshman outside-hitter Victoria Schroeder (Corvallis, Ore.) provided the clutch attack for the Warriors, pounding a ball into the floor for the set and match win for Corban.
Following the exciting win, sophomore libero Haley Wells (Albany, Ore.) talked about the triumph in a post-match interview:
Wells led the Warrior defense with 16 digs on the evening, while McLain served as the team's primary setter, notching a game-high 38 assists. Warrior sophomore outside-hitter Amber Parker (Albany, Ore.) once again led the way offensively for the Navy and Gold, totaling 21 kills while hitting for a .327 attack percentage.
Schroeder added nine kills for Corban, while sophomore middle-blocker Sloane Morrison (Edmonds, Wash.) and freshman middle-blocker Kinley Hickok (Anchorage, Alaska) both provided the Warriors with six kills apiece.
For Warner Pacific, Janessa White totaled a team-best 16 kills, while Kealiea Rosa provided 25 assists. Defensively, Brandy Velasquez recorded 15 digs for the Knights (4-9, 3-7 CCC).
Corban (8-8, 6-4 CCC) returns to Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) action next week when it travels east to take on The College of Idaho and Eastern Oregon University on Friday and Saturday.
