CHENEY, Wash. - Facing off against NCAA Division I opponent, Eastern Washington University in a non-counting exhibition match on Thursday evening on the road, the Corban University Volleyball team showed it can compete at very high level, putting forth a very strong effort in all three sets. Despite losing in straight sets against the Eagles, (25-15, 25-14, 25-16), the Navy and Gold averaged 15 points per game against a team that took one set from the No. 2 Florida Gators not long ago.

"Playing at Eastern Washington was a great opportunity to compete against a very athletic team which in turn will help us prepare for our tough conference," said head coach Kim McLain. "The firls came out strong in the first set but EWU just outplayed us."

In the first stanza, the Warriors fought off a quick start from the Eagles (5-6) and battled back to take a 14-13 lead thanks to a kill by freshman outside-hitter Victoria Schroeder (Corvallis, Ore.). Eastern Washington responded with a 12-1 run, however, nabbing the set 25-15.

The Warriors continued to play strong in sets two and three, scoring 14 points in the second and 16 in the third, not giving their NCAA Division I opponent any easy points.

Despite the three-set loss, there were many positives that could be taken from the match. Sophomore outside-hitter Amber Parker (Albany, Ore.) led Corban with 14 kills, while freshman setter Madison McLain (Albany, Ore.) totaled 19 assists. Defensively, sophomore libero Haley Wells (Albany, Ore.) registered 13 digs.

Corban (4-7, 2-3 CCC) returns to Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) action on Saturday when it hosts Walla Walla University. First serve is set for 8:30 p.m. in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center.