ASHLAND, Ore. – All of the momentum has returned to the No. 3-ranked Corban University Women's Volleyball team's sideline following today's result in Ashland, as the Warriors cruised to a three-set sweep of No. 25-ranked Southern Oregon University on the Raiders' home court, marking the fifth-consecutive win for the Navy and Gold inside of Lithia Motors Pavilion dating back to the 2021 fall season. Tonight's dominant result against SOU marks the first sweep in southern Oregon since 2021 as well, with this being the first three-set sweep against the Raiders since 2022.
"We knew coming in that Southern Oregon is a well-coached team with a lot of weapons, so we had to be sharp from the first serve," stated Corban head coach Kim McLain. "Our game plan centered around tough serving and clean passing to keep them out of system and limit their options offensively. I thought our team executed really well. I'm especially proud of how we stayed focused throughout the match, even when momentum shifted. Every player stepped up when it mattered. It was a great win against a very tough opponent."
Just like in their three-set sweep of Oregon Tech last night, the Warriors (12-3, 6-2) battled back and forth with the Raiders (6-9, 3-5) to open each of the three sets played out tonight in southern Oregon, yet continuously found a way to pull off long scoring runs of at least five points apiece late in each set and eventually depart with one of their most convincing nationally ranked victories of the year.
The Navy and Gold held the potent SOU offense to just 37 kills while forcing them into 20 attacking errors on the night, all during an impressive offensive performance of their own by hitting .276 against a historically strong blocking program in Southern Oregon. Corban out-blocked the Raiders 12-4 in their first matchup of the season, led behind senior middle blocker Gracie Boeder and her eight total blocks on the day.
In her homecoming return to Jackson County, junior outside hitter Kendra Bittle pounced on the Raiders' defense with a team-high nine kills and just two attacking errors while adding four blocks and three digs defensively. Sophomore middle blocker Addison Mills added eight kills with Boeder and redshirt sophomore opposite hitter Taylor Kieser pitching in seven kills apiece.
Junior outside hitter Emma Bischoff led the Warriors' backcourt with ten digs and added five blocks and four kills at the net, while junior libero Kaile'a Ontai dug up eight digs with the SOU attacking gameplan centered around avoiding the Pearl City, Hawaii's defensive capabilities. Meanwhile, the 6-2 setter rotation consisting of senior Abby Guindy and junior Nadeiah Howard were responsible for 19 and 18 assists, respectively.
Southern Oregon right-side hitter Friley Curtiss led all attackers with ten kills but was responsible for six of her team's 20 attacking errors due to the Warriors' stalwart defensive presence. Libero Tais Vega dug up a match-best 18 digs, while setter Mia Jaeger dealt out 17 dimes offensively.
With their most daunting two-week road trip of the season now in the past, the No. 3-ranked Warriors can turn their attention to hosting a pair of receiving votes squads next weekend at the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center, beginning on Friday afternoon when they welcome RV Walla Walla University (7-3, 5-2) for a 2pm first serve.
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