SALEM, Ore. – Successfully finding the hardwood on over 32% of their attacks per set tonight was the No. 4-ranked Corban University Women's Volleyball team in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) opener across the Pacific Northwest, as the Warriors hosted I-5 rival Bushnell University and sent the Beacons packing back to Eugene with a three-set sweep on Tim Hills Court via 25-20, 25-17, and 25-17 final set scores. The Navy and Gold (7-1, 1-0) offense averaged one third of their attacks leading to points in an all-around effort from every Warrior to participate in tonight's match, while the Beacons (6-5, 0-1) committed far too many unforced errors to keep up with the nationally recognized Corban attackers.
"I'm really proud of how the team played tonight!" exclaimed Warriors' head coach Kim McLain following their three-set sweep of Bushnell. "We stayed focused and committed to playing one point at a time. Bushnell brought a strong presence at the net, but we executed our offense efficiently and stuck to our gameplan. Everyone contributed, and it was a complete team effort from start to finish."
The first set was arguably the most competitive of the evening, as Bushnell led Corban on numerous occasions before the Warriors utilized a 5-1 run to force the Beacons into their second timeout. While they were able to stop the bleeding and pull to within three points late in the period, Bushnell was unable to keep pace with the Corban offense and eventually saw the hometown team take the opening set 25-20.
Both the second and third sets moved quickly and without much doubt, as the Navy and Gold took large leads early and despite some scoring runs here and there from the Beacons, were able to kick on autopilot and cruise to duplicate set scores of 25-17.
Both Corban and Bushnell took advantage of the newly implemented CRS Replay system that the Warriors have been utilizing since the 2024 season but will now represent the most experienced member of the CCC with the system now required across the conference starting this season. Three challenges were submitted for review tonight, two for the Beacons and one for the Warriors, with all three resulting in challenges lost for the team asking for another look at the previous play.
Leading Corban's offensive ambush was senior opposite hitter Makayla Roginski and her game-high 14 kills with only two errors, while junior outside hitters Emma Bischoff and Kendra Bittle tacked on 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Bischoff was perfect from the field with no errors for a .423 kill percentage and eight digs, Roginski finished with only two errors for a .500 kill percentage, and Bittle scooped up 11 digs for her first double-double of the 2025 season.
Senior setter Abby Guindy paced the field tonight with 25 assists in three sets for an 8.33 assist per set average, while junior setter Nadeiah Howard dished out 16 dimes and hauled in six digs. A quiet night at the net defensively for Corban resulted in 14 digs for junior libero Kaile'a Ontai, who also assisted on five kills.
While offensively it wasn't their night, the Beacons did manage to out-block the Warriors by doubling them up 8 to 4 and served just as aggressively with as many service aces as Corban managed (4), yet the attacking errors added up far too quickly and resulted in the three-set sweep on Tim Hills Court.
Bushnell outside hitter Hailey Heider secured 12 of the Beacons' 33 kills and was one dig shy of a double-double with nine tonight, while opposite hitter Leah Agost tacked on another nine kills from the right side. Libero Kailey Shirley matched Ontai with 14 digs of her own, while libero Emma Fa'alogo led the visiting squad with 17 assists. Middle blocker Soleil Sands led all players with six blocks.
The Warriors will have a quick week-of turnaround, as they'll prepare to host Warner Pacific University (0-1, 0-0) tomorrow night back in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center with a 6pm first serve scheduled.
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