PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Despite falling in their first match of NAIA National Tournament Pool Play, the No. 2-ranked Corban University Beach Volleyball team (21-5) bounced back in stellar fashion to sweep their next Top 3 opponent on their way to a finish WHAT in pool play. After No. 6-ranked Webber International University (21-6) narrowly edged the Warriors 3-2 in the opening match, the Navy and Gold responded with a dominant 5-0 sweep of No. 3-ranked Vanguard University (18-5) to set up a tiebreaker scenario for the three squads.

In tiebreaker play, each pair plays a single set to 21 until a decision is reached. Following a victory by Vanguard over Webber, the Warriors then repeated against the Lions via a 4-1 result to earn the First Round bye and set themselves up with a spot in the National Semifinal tomorrow afternoon at 5pm ET/2pm PDT.

"Today we started off slow and got caught off guard by a scrappy and smart Webber team," Warriors' Head Coach Diana Villalpando stated. "Against Vanguard, we focused more on our side of the net and it paid off."

Villapando continued with her assessment of the National Invitational thus far by sharing, "So far, the competition has been extremely tight here at nationals. Every team is equally as skilled and every dual could really go either way, as we've seen with four of six matches being decided by a single pair."

Corban's top pair of senior Avari Ridgway and sophomore Megan Dennis were one of two pairs to go undefeated in their pool play contests this morning and afternoon, defeating Webber and Vanguard's top pairs via a 4-1 advantage in sets won.

Seniors Kealani Ontai and Ally Schmidt were the other Warrior duo to go without a loss today, securing an exciting 21-17, 16-21, and 16-14 three set victory against Webber before sweeping Vanguard's Emilee Hall and Madi Nash by duplicate scores of 21-18.

The remaining Corban pairs all rebounded from match one losses against Webber to down the Lions, highlighted by a comeback victory by the second overall pair of junior sisters Kianna and Cameron Keeling, who posted a reverse sweep by falling 15-21 in set one before taking the next two sets 21-12 and 15-13.

Fourth pair of sophomores Maya Blake and Jessica McMillian shook off an opening sweep by posting a 21-12, 21-14 sweep of their own, while the fifth pair of senior Jolinn Daviscourt and redshirt sophomore Kalisi Latu also reversed tides against the Lions with a 21-16 and 21-15 sweep.

In the pool play tiebreaker with Vanguard, the Warriors dropped only one set en route to a 4-1 victory, allowing them to rest and relax tomorrow morning alongside No. 1-ranked Westcliff while the other four teams battle it out for a shot at redemption against the top two national seeds.

The full results from today's matchups can be found below:

Webber 3, Corban 2

1. Megan Dennis and Avari Ridgway (CRB) def. Cinda Garcia and Montana Pelak (WIU); (21-10, 28-26)

2. Bailey Sikkema and Kendall Steinert (WIU) def. Cameron Keeling and Kianna Keeling (CRB); (16-21, 21-17, 15-12)

3. Kealani Ontai and Ally Schmidt (CRB) def. Nadia Reid and Kiersten Tisdale (WIU); (21-17, 16-21, 16-14)

4. Lilly Arnold and Wnda Harris (WIU) def. Maya Blake and Jessica McMillian (CRB); (21-8, 21-16)

5. Abby Baxter and Delanie Johnson (WIU) def. Jolinn Daviscourt and Kalisi Latu (CRB); (21-19, 21-18)

Corban 5, Vanguard 0

1. Megan Dennis and Avari Ridgway (CRB) def. Conley Harris and Morgan Nash (VU); (21-19, 20-22, 15-13)

2. Cameron Keeling and Kianna Keeling (CRB) def. Emma Galloway and Hannah Wilmes (VU); (15-21, 21-12, 15-8)

3. Kealani Ontai and Ally Schmidt (CRB) def. Emilee Hall and Madi Nash (VU); (21-18, 21-18)

4. Maya Blake and Jessica McMillian (CRB) def. Madison Arnold and Bailey Coffin (VU); (21-12, 21-14)

5. Jolinn Daviscourt and Kalisi Latu (CRB) def. Ana Broadhead and Chloe Knudson (VU); (21-16, 21-15)

Corban 4, Vanguard 1 (One Set to 21)

1. Megan Dennis and Avari Ridgway (CRB) def. Conley Harris and Morgan Nash (VU); (21-17)

2. Emma Galloway and Hannah Wilmes (VU) def. Cameron Keeling and Kianna Keeling (CRB); (21-18)

3. Kealani Ontai and Ally Schmidt (CRB) def. Emilee Hall and Madi Nash (VU); (21-19)

4. Maya Blake and Jessica McMillian (CRB) def. Madison Arnold and Bailey Coffin (VU); (21-17)

5. Jolinn Daviscourt and Kalisi Latu (CRB) def. Ana Broadhead and Chloe Knudson (VU); (21-15)

The Warriors will take the morning to scout and rest during the First Round, preparing to play the winner of No. 5-ranked Park University-Missouri (17-2) and No. 6-ranked Webber to earn a trip to the National Championship match for the second-consecutive year.

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