SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The No. 14-ranked Corban University volleyball team saw its tremendous season come to an end on Friday morning, falling in the NAIA National Championships Round of 16 to the No. 1-ranked team in the NAIA, Park University (25-19, 25-16, 25-20).
The Warriors conclude the 2019 season with a 22-10 overall record, having made their fourth-consecutive appearance in the NAIA Final 16. The squad's two losses in the national tournament came at the hands of the No. 2 (Northwestern) and No. 1-ranked programs in the country.
"I am beyond proud of this team!" said head coach Kim McLain, who achieved a milestone of her own this season by eclipsing the 100-career-win mark on September 21. "This group came into the season with a goal, a vision, and a mission statement. More than that, they were committed to each other, playing united for Him! I love these players and who they are, and looking forward to the future with them."
Nada Meawad carried the load for the Pirates, racking up 21 kills on a .327 attack percentage. Joining her in double-figure kills was Maren Roper, who tacked on 11 kills on a .333 mark.
Jacquelyn Clark led the Warriors with seven kills (.267 attack percentage) in the defeat, while All-Conference attacker Avari Ridgway clocked six (.240 attack percentage). In addition, Cassie Cunningham and senior Adriana Aguayo each added four putaways on the morning.
"Being a part of this program for the last four years—and making it this far each year—has been amazing," said Aguayo, reflecting on her career with the Navy and Gold. "It is awesome to leave a mark on school history and walk away with these memories that I will never forget."
The former All-Conference award-winner ends her four-year tenure with 1,115 kills, the 6th-best mark in school history.
Defensively, Kealani Ontai once again led the squad in digs, registering 13 total. Playing in the final match of her Warrior career, Lauren Condon compiled 10 digs. Condon leaves as one of the most accomplished back row players in program history, ranking fourth all-time with 1,392 career digs.
"I can't thank my teammates and the coaching staff enough for the person they've shaped me into," said Condon. "This season tested us as a team and showed us that we were able to rise to the occasion and show our love for God through our actions. The past four years have been full of amazing memories with so many different people who have become family."
Over the past four seasons, the senior duo has been a part of three NAIA Final-16 finishes, an NAIA Final-8 appearance, a Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Regular-Season Championship (2017) and a Conference Tournament Title (2017).
"It was an honor to coach Lauren and Adriana these last four years," McLain said about her senior duo. "They helped set the winning tradition for Corban volleyball."
With a 22-10 record this fall, 2019 saw the team compile the sixth-most wins in its history.
The young and dynamic Corban roster is set to return 10 of its 11 members who played in at least 100 sets during the campaign, meaning the future of the Warrior squad remains as promising as ever.
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