SALEM, Ore. – Just a season removed from the highest team finish in Corban University Volleyball program history, head coach Kim McLain has some big shoes to fill around the court, as she lost four key starters from their legendary NAIA National Championship run this past fall to the 2023 spring commencement ceremony. However, with seven hungry and skilled recruits heading to her program this upcoming season, McLain is confident her program won't be taking any backseats in the NAIA or Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC).
"I am very excited about our 2023 class!" McLain stated. "Throughout their recruiting journey and as I have gotten to know each one better, I have found that they will each add something unique and special to the program, the community, and to the culture at Corban University.
McLain carried on about her incoming class by sharing, "They bring with them a high character, strong IQ for the game of volleyball, passion, hard work and athleticism. I believe they will be great teammates to add to a very hardworking, determined, and talented returning group. I look forward to seeing what this group as a whole can accomplish in the 2023 season!"
To read more about the seven new additions to the Corban volleyball program, see below for a brief biography assigned to each of the brand-new Warriors.
Ella Litterell – 6'2" – Outside Hitter – Emerald Ridge HS/Texas A&M-Corpus Christi – Puyallup, Wash.
Litterell joins the Warrior Volleyball program after completing the previous three seasons at NCAA Division I Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. She won two Southland Conference Championships during her time at Corpus Christi, reaching the NCAA Tournament in both 2020 and 2021. Excelling on and off the court, Ella earned a spot on the Honor Roll in all three collegiate seasons. Emerald Ridge High School's record holder for career kills (1,439), Litterell was named ERHS MVP, SPSL All League First Team, and Tacoma Athletic Commission Volleyball Athlete of the Year in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Litterell plans to join Corban's Kinesiology program with the intentions of becoming a PE Teacher.
Graci Zanona – 5'5" – Defensive Specialist/Libero – Sweet Home HS/Linn Benton CC – Sweet Home, Ore.
Adding championship experience to the roster, Zanona led the Linn-Benton Roadrunners to back-to-back NWAC Championships in her two years thirty minutes south from Corban's campus in Albany. She earned NWAC First Team All-Tournament and NWAC Southern Region Second Team recognitions for the 2022 season. Zanona's history of winning extends back to high school, where she compiled First Team All-League and Second Team All-State honors while winning the state championship for Sweet Home High School in her senior season.
Zanona will major in Counseling Psychology/Child & Family Concentration with plans to become a social worker.
Emma Bischoff – 5'11" – Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter – Rogue Valley Adventist Academy – Medford, Ore.
Bischoff comes to Corban after an impressive three-sport high school career where she played volleyball and basketball on the court and ran cross country as well. She was named Conference MVP in her last three seasons of both volleyball and basketball while also earning a First Team All-State recognition in volleyball. She also competed for the Spiketown Volleyball Club, winning the Salt Lake City Showdown in 2022.
Bischoff intends to study in the Business/Accounting program during her time at Corban.
Kendra Bittle – 6'1" – Outside/Opposite Hitter – Crater HS – Central Point, Ore.
Collegiate athletics runs deep in the family for Bittle, as she joins both of her parents and her brother in the ranks of college athletes. Kendra impressed during her high school campaign, earning Midwestern League Player of the Year, First Team All-State honors, was a two-time First Team All-Midwestern League player, and claiming a Midwestern League Championship for Crater.
Bittle plans to study Pre-Medicine during her time at Corban, with ambitions of becoming an anesthesiologist.
Nadeiah Howard – 5'8" – Setter – Venture Academy – Stockton, Calif.
Howard adds leadership to the Warriors, serving as the team captain all four years at Venture Academy. She was also a four-time First Team All-League award winner, four-time scholar athlete, a Stockton Record Athlete of the Week, and a two-time conference champion. Nadeiah comes from an athletic family, joining her cousins Naje and Nick in the collegiate ranks.
Howard intends to join Corban's Kinesiology program with the goal of becoming an Athletic Trainer.
Taylor Kieser – 5'11" – Setter/Opposite Hitter – Selah HS – Selah, Wash.
Keiser joins the Corban Volleyball program after a highly decorated high school career where she recorded 750+ career kills. During her four years at Selah, Taylor was named to the 2019 Coaches Choice Award, a four-time First Team All-League winner, the 2019 2A All-State Team Honorable Mention list, a two-time varsity captain, two-time High School Volleyball MVP, and a 2022 All-State Participant. Kieser also brings high-quality game management experience in the form of a highly sought-after recruit on the court as a two-time AVCA Phenom Watchlist, 2023 Setter Watchlist, and 2021 U-18 Open All-Star Team. Keiser follows in the footsteps of her mother, Erika Kieser, who also played collegiate volleyball.
Kieser plans to join Corban's Kinesiology program with plans to become a Physical Therapist.
Kaile'a Ontai – 5'7" – Libero – Kamehameha Kapalama HS – Pearl City, Hawaii.
A familiar name to Warriors fans, Kaile'a is following the footsteps of her sister, Kealani, as a defensive specialist that found her way to Corban from Pearl City, Hawaii. Thriving in high school, Ontai was named a 2021 State Champion, a 2020 ILH Champion, and a 2019 Runner-Up. Ontai also competed for the Spike and Serve Volleyball Clubs where she was a 2022 Transpacific Champion, a Holiday Classic Runner-Up, and a Red Rock Rave fifth place finisher.
Ontai has intentions of joining the Kinesiology program during her time at Corban.
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