SALEM, Ore. – For the first time since 1999, Corban University defeated Southern Oregon University in a volleyball match at home, downing the 18th-ranked Raiders in four sets (25-20, 25-22, 18-25, 25-22). For the Warriors, it was their first win on either the road or at home over the Raiders since 2003 when Corban defeated then-ranked No. 11 SOU in five sets on the road in Ashland.
Click 'Play Button' on photo above for video highlights from the win.
"The team came out ready and focused to play tonight," said Corban head coach Kim McLain. "They have been working a long time, looking forward to the first conference match. We definitely have more to work on, but it was a great start to the conference with a big win!"
Corban jumped out to the lead in set one and pushed forward to the 25-20 set victory, starting the night off on the right note. The Warriors hit for a .324 percentage in that set-one win while holding the Raiders to a .108 clip.
In set two, Corban and SOU traded points for almost the entirety of the set, but ultimately it was Corban that finished strong, claiming the final four points of the stanza to take a commanding two sets to none lead.
In the third set, SOU hit for just a .075 mark, but the Warriors hit for a -.053 percentage, dooming them in the 25-18 set defeat.
Not wanting to play a fifth stanza, however, the Warriors bounced back in set four, hitting effectively for a .343 clip offensively while holding the Raiders to a .081 mark.
Leading the way in the upset triumph for the Navy and Gold was the trio of junior Amber Parker, junior Alaina Gentili, and freshman Lauren Condon. Parker finished the evening with a match-high 17 kills, while Gentili totaled 13 kills and Condon racked up 10.
Dishing out the assists on the night was sophomore Madison McLain, as she finished with a match-high 50 assists, while it was junior Haley Wells who registered 21 digs defensively to compliment McLain's 13 digs. Also coming up big for Corban was sophomore Kinley Hickok, as she recorded eight kills and hit for a .438 percentage in the victory.
After the match, McLain and Condon talked about the monumental win for the program:
For SOU, it was senior Emma Gasman who registered a team-best 11 kills, while sophomore Nila Lukens totaled 10 for the Raiders. Defensively, sophomore Ashlyn Flynn racked up 19 digs, while senior Lauren McGowne tallied 37 assists in the defeat.
As a team, Corban hit for a .207 mark, while SOU (3-5, 0-1 CCC) hit for a .098 percentage.
Corban (5-2, 1-0 CCC) returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Oregon Tech. First serve in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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