ORANGE CITY, Iowa – The No. 9-ranked Corban University volleyball team came away with a pair of crucial non-conference wins on Friday at the Red Raider Classic, downing (RV) Morningside College (Iowa) in a five-set thriller (25-22, 25-19, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8) to open the day before then blowing past Dakota Wesleyan University in straight sets (25-13, 25-12, 25-12).

The five-set victory over Morningside snapped a four-match losing streak during the 2017 campaign, and it also marked the first time the Warriors had won a five-set match in seven tries, dating back to early in the 2016 season. Additionally, the win over the Morningside Mustangs was a rematch of last year's NAIA Final Site contest between the two talented squads.

"Today we started with a goal of working on the little details of the game, which in turn is helping with the consistency of our play," said Corban head coach Kim McLain. "We must continue to pass and serve well in order to contend with the tough competition!"

In the first match of the day against the Mustangs, Corban came out firing to win the first two sets, but stumbled in the third and fourth sets, sending the match to the fifth and final stanza. In that fifth set, Corban swung for 10 kills and a .421 attacking mark, ultimately leading to the triumph.

In the victory over Morningside, Alaina Gentili was on fire, totaling 18 kills while hitting for a .469 mark overall. In addition, Amber Parker chipped in 17 kills and Marandah Boeder tallied 13. Madison McLain dished out 31 assists, while Cierra Leopoldino recorded 28 assists for the Warriors. Defensively, Haley Wells racked up a team-best 33 digs in the win.

In the nightcap, Corban dominated from start to finish, not allowing Dakota Wesleyan to score more than 13 points in a set. Corban hit for a .427 mark in the triumph as a team, with Parker tallying a team-best 11 kills and Adriana Aguayo racking up 10.

Haley Wells was once again the standout defensively with 17 digs, while Gentili tallied three blocks at the net. Helping the offense flow, McLain totaled 24 assists, while Samantha Rouleau recorded 16 assists for the Warriors.

Corban (3-4) returns to the hardwood tomorrow when it takes on No. 15 Doane University (Neb.) at 9 a.m. CST, and then No. 13-ranked Northwestern College at 3 p.m. CST.