LA GRANDE, Ore. – A 2022 postseason filled with the most fascinating results in Corban Volleyball program history ended with no championship banners raised but was still the best finish in team history, as the Warriors dug deep and clawed their way to a national championship match appearance at the NAIA National Championships.
"This whole season has led to these next few weeks, and it all starts today in La Grande," Corban head coach Kim McLain shared when asked to discuss her team's postseason expectations. "We will see some of the best competition the NAIA has to offer us over the next two days, which will be a perfect warmup for what we hope is another successful national tournament appearance. This team is a special group, and I can't wait to see what they'll accomplish over the course of the playoffs!"
The 2023 postseason begins this afternoon in the semifinal round for the Navy and Gold, as their No. 2-seed gives them an automatic bye to the penultimate matchup, needing just one victory to earn a spot in the championship game for the third-consecutive season. Tournament host and top-seeded Eastern Oregon University will play the lowest remaining seed after the quarterfinal matches at 7pm this evening, while the Warriors will take on the highest remaining seed.
Coach McLain's crew finished the regular season with a 25-5 overall record, with their only conference losses coming to No. 3-ranked Eastern Oregon and No. 12-ranked Southern Oregon University. The Raiders (25-5) pose as the biggest upset potential for the Warriors entering the first postseason tournament of the 2023 season, with The College of Idaho (18-12) providing difficult matchups for the Navy and Gold in their two matchups during the regular season as well. No. 5-seeded Northwest University and No. 6-seeded Bushnell University will each be tested by SOU and C of I, but both stand legitimate chances of knocking off the higher seeded foes.
Corban volleyball was busy yesterday in the CCC Postseason Awards, led by junior outside hitter Rylee Troutman and her back-to-back Player of the Year honor to take home the top award for the second-consecutive season. In addition to Troutman on the First Team All-Conference list, sophomore setter Abby Guindy was the only setter named to the top team in the entire CCC. Junior middle blocker Allyson Reid and sophomore opposite hitter Makayla Roginski earned Second Team honors, while freshman middle blocker Emma Bischoff was tabbed with Honorable Mention designation.
With their opponent still to be determined, the Warriors will sit in Quinn Coliseum throughout the quarterfinal sessions to scout out who they'll be battling later today at 4pm in the first of two semifinal matches. Live coverage of the match will be provided by EOU, with live video and live stats available at the appropriate links.
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