SALEM, Ore. – Friday evening's NAIA top-25 bout between No. 6-ranked Corban University volleyball and No. 13 Eastern Oregon University was as good as advertised, as the two Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) powerhouses jostled for top positioning in the conference standings in an unforgettable battle. At one point down to their final point in set four, the Warriors battled back from the brink of defeat to force a fifth game, eventually earning a thrilling five-set victory (24-26, 25-19, 18-25, 27-25, 15-12).

"Tonight was a true test and a battle," said head coach Kim McLain. "We struggled defending at the net throughout the match, as well as being consistent with our serving. Eastern's defense was incredible, and we found it very hard to put a ball down on them."

With the win, the Navy and Gold's historic winning streak moves to 18-consecutive matches, and the Warriors retain sole possession of first place in the CCC standings.

The match was a gritty battle from the first serve, with Eastern Oregon overcoming an early deficit to edge Corban in a tense first set. The Warriors bounced back with a 25-19 win in the second game to even the match, but the Mountaineers' relentless defensive presence at the net helped the visitors capture momentum and take the third game, 25-18.

After the Mountaineers took four of set four's first five points, Corban went on a six-point run to capture a 7-4 lead in the fourth stanza. The resilient Mountaineers would battle back to even the score, as the two CCC giants swapped points right up until the end of the set. Once the score hit the 8-6 mark, neither team led by more than two points for the remainder of the nail-biting set, and the Mountaineers eventually forced a match point by garnering a 24-23 advantage.

Down to its last point, Corban battled back to shock the Mountaineers with a 27-25 victory in the stanza, forcing a fifth and deciding set.

The back-and-forth ebb and flow continued in the rubber game, but Corban managed to break away late—propelled by a three-point run on the heels of a 10-10 deadlock—to clinch its 18^th-straight triumph.

"I was proud of how the team came together," McLain added, speaking on her team's persistence in the face of adversity. "Our grit and tenacity to never give up made a huge difference, giving us the ability to overcome a tough and well-coached EOU team."

Allyson Reid put up a monster performance on both sides of the net for the Navy and Gold, notching 10 kills on a stellar .444 attacking clip, while also assisting five blocks and notching a solo block, as well.

Leading all performers, Rylee Troutman ended the night with 18 kills (.156 attack percentage), joined by Avari Ridgway (13 kills, .116 attack percentage), Sarena Bartley (11 kills, .214 attack percentage) and Reid in double digits.

Ciarra Judson (27) and Jadyn Mullen (24) combined for 51 assists in the five-set marathon, with Judson's mark serving as a new personal season high. It was also a new season high for Judson in digs, as the setter finished with nine in the triumph.

Overall, five members of the Navy and Gold tallied at least 10 digs, led by Ridgway's 16 and Mullen and Ontai's 15. Troutman (13) and Marissa Uehara (10) also shined defensively in the team's gritty win.

For the Mounties, Breanna Shaffer's impressive offensive effort (16 kills, .295 attack percentage) spearheaded the upset bid. After Friday's result, the Warriors earn the regular-season series sweep of their in-state rivals, taking a two-match lead over EOU (15-5, 10-2 CCC) in the CCC standings.

The Mountaineers move into a tie for second place with Bushnell University, which is also off to a 10-2 start in conference competition.

With 10 matches to go in the regular-season, Corban is in the driver's seat, controlling its own destiny as postseason play looms.

The Warriors (18-0, 12-0 CCC) will be back inside the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center tomorrow evening, hosting College of Idaho in another pivotal CCC duel. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. on Tim Hills Court.