SALEM, Ore. –  The No. 13-ranked Corban University volleyball team has leapt over a collection of hurdles throughout its unique 2020-21 campaign, which has been derailed, delayed, and reformatted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The squad has been unable to compete in a meaningful match since the pandemic began in March.

"The journey has been long," said head coach Kim McLain, "but I have always taught my teams that the journey along the way is the most important! We will never forget this journey, and now looking back, we find the positives of learning how to overcome and persevere in our wait. We are so excited to begin this next chapter of conference play! We have anticipated this, and can't wait to step out on the court tomorrow."

Finally, the Warriors will face Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) competition on Friday, when they travel to Lewiston, Idaho to face Warner Pacific University and Bushnell University in back-to-back doubleheaders. The four-team mini tournament—hosted by CCC newcomer Lewis-Clark State College—will be the first of two that the Navy and Gold will participate in, with the second slated to take place on March 5-6.

CLICK HERE to view the conference's recently announced hybrid schedule.

Boasting a group of outstanding newcomers, and suffering minimal subtractions to the roster from years prior, the Navy and Gold may be in the best position the squad's been in since the 2017 team reached the NAIA Quarterfinals.

Corban will be tasked with a shorter regular-season slate than normal, as they will play a total of 14 matches. After the two early season tournaments conclude, the Warriors will play host to Lewis-Clark State in what would be the first scheduled matches to occur on Tim Hills Court. Corban will then welcome Eastern Oregon to Salem, before traveling to Caldwell to finish up against the Yotes.

Each of the squad's All-CCC honorees from 2019—Cassie Cunningham (276 kills), Avari Ridgway (260 kills), and Kealani Ontai (4.2 digs/set)—are back in the Navy and Gold. The trio will hope to be the backbone of the 2020-21 squad's success, coming alongside newcomers to form an experienced leadership group.

The Warriors will also retain setter Jadyn Mullen, who led the squad with 662 assists last season.

An exciting list of first-year Warriors will undoubtedly improve an already impressive roster. Junior transfer Ally Tow brings previous collegiate experience and success to the rotation, and highly-touted freshman Rylee Troutman figures to make a huge impact for the Navy and Gold.

With a squad full of this much potential, Corban fans should be on the edge of their seats awaiting the season-opener, as the Warriors look to make another run to the NAIA National Tournament.

The squad has appeared on the NAIA's biggest stage in each of the past four seasons, with this year's national tournament slated to begin on April 17.