SALEM, Ore. – Tonight was about more than volleyball at the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center, as the No. 4-ranked Corban University Women's Volleyball hosted their second "Pink for Paige" fundraiser contest to close out their seven-game homestand on Tim Hills Court. The Warriors played host to The Evergreen State College and took the match in straight sets, 25-14, 25-15, and 25-10, but the opportunity to spread awareness for the recovery of a program family member superseded all results on the court.
"I'm incredibly proud of how the team came together and played as one," Warriors' head coach Kim McLain shared following her team's seventh-consecutive victory. "Every player stepped up and contributed, showing heart, hustle, and unity from start to finish. This was a true team effort. We're so glad we were able to get a win for Paige, who was able to attend tonight's game after leaving the hospital just last week. Please be praying for Paige and her family during her recovery!"
Over the course of this weekend, the Warriors hosted a pair of "Pink for Paige" in support of local high schooler Paige Wood and recovery from a devastating car crash just over a month ago. Wood is the younger sister of Corban women's volleyball program alumni Rylee Bales, formerly Rylee Troutman, who resides in central Oregon and attends Crook County High School.
On August 10th, Wood survived nothing short of a miracle after enduring a car accident out of cell service on her way home. She was airlifted to St. Charles in Bend with multiple injuries and most recently came out of a medically induced coma. She has already undergone multiple surgeries and will face multiple more procedures in the days ahead. This will be a long and difficult journey, with weeks in the hospital, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical needs.
If you'd like to make a donation towards Paige's recovery, click HERE. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference.
With Paige and her family in attendance at the C.E. Jeffers Sport Center tonight, Coach McLain and her squad put together a complete-team effort against the Geoducks (0-8, 0-4), as all sixteen rostered Warriors (10-1, 4-0) saw court time and contributed towards the team's sixth-straight sweeping decision. The Navy and Gold secured 11 service aces as a team against Evergreen, while holding the Geoducks to just 17 total kills in three sets compared to 44 for Corban.
Junior outside hitter Emma Bischoff picked up her fourth double-double performance of the season after smashing ten kills and picking up ten digs in the backcourt, while senior opposite hitter Makayla Roginski and junior outside hitter Kendra Bittle tallied a game-high 11 kills apiece to lead all attackers. Senior setter Abby Guindy dealt out a game-best 23 assists in her continued pursuit of moving up the regional assists per set leaderboard.
Bischoff and junior setter Nadeiah Howard were responsible for six of the 11 team service aces tonight, splitting the total down the middle for three aces apiece. Howard moved into a tie for third overall in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) rankings for service aces per set after averaging one per set today.
Geoducks' outside hitter Zofia Formella led her team with eight kills at the net, while libero Jaci Yamada dug up six balls defensively. Setter Jayden Vaimaona dished out nine assists and middle blocker Mikayla Kelly was responsible for four of the team's eight blocks assists.
After a nearly month-long homestand, the No. 4-ranked Warriors will travel on back-to-back weekends against nationally ranked opponents, beginning on Friday, September 19th in Caldwell, Idaho against the No. 10-ranked College of Idaho Yotes (8-3, 2-2). First serve is scheduled for 6pm MT/5pm PT at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
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