SALEM, Ore. – The No. 5-ranked Corban University Women's Volleyball team continued its strong push through the second half of Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play on Thursday night, sweeping Warner Pacific University in straight sets on Tim Hills Court to clinch the season sweep. The Warriors used efficient offense, dominant serving, and stifling net play to secure a 25-17, 25-8, 25-12 victory while improving to 16-5 overall and 9-3 in CCC action.
"I'm proud of the way our team competed through each rally," began Warriors' head coach Kim McLain. As the match went on, our serving became more aggressive and really set the tone in the second and third sets. It was a great team effort, with everyone contributing and playing together to finish strong!"
The Warriors entered the evening having five straight matches, while the Knights (0-12, 0-11) arrived still searching for their first victory of the season. Despite Corban controlling much of the opening frame, Warner Pacific remained within striking distance throughout the first set and even knotted the score at 15-15 midway through the stanza. The Navy and Gold responded immediately, however, closing the set on a decisive 10-2 run. Senior outside hitter Emma Bischoff, freshman opposite hitter Greta Van Gemert, and senior setter Nadeiah Howard each contributed key points during the closing surge as Corban claimed the opener, 25-17.
The second set proved to be the turning point of the match. Trailing by only five points at 9-4, the Knights could only serve as spectators as Corban took complete control behind a dominant service run from senior outside hitter Kendra Bittle. The Warriors rattled off an 11-1 stretch, turning a competitive set into a lopsided advantage while holding Warner Pacific to a negative attacking percentage. Corban's aggressive serving and front-row defense never allowed the visitors to establish any rhythm, resulting in a commanding 25-8 set victory.
Looking to complete the sweep, Corban wasted little time building momentum in the third frame. Bittle opened the set with consecutive service aces as the Warriors raced out to a 4-0 lead. Warner Pacific briefly stayed within range at 7-4, but Corban answered once again, piecing together another extended run highlighted by contributions from Van Gemert, freshman outside hitter Racquel Gauna, junior middle blocker Gracee Robertson, and freshman middle blocker Eliana Klos. The Warriors eventually stretched the advantage to 22-9 before closing out the match with a 25-12 win.
The Warrior attack featured two double-digit kill performances, led by Bischoff and Van Gemert with 10 kills apiece. Bischoff hit an efficient .556 while adding six digs, two service aces, and a block assist, while Van Gemert posted a .450 attacking percentage with three digs and a block assist. Gauna provided a spark off the bench with seven kills on nine swings for a blistering .778 hitting percentage, with Bittle adding five kills, four service aces, and five digs.
Corban's offense was directed by Howard and redshirt freshman setter Braeleigh MacAskill, who combined for 29 assists and three service aces. Defensively, junior libero Dani Street led all players with 12 digs, while Klos anchored the Warrior front row with six total blocks. As a team, Corban recorded a .340 attacking percentage while limiting Warner Pacific to a -.011 mark.
For the Knights, Mia Carman led the attack with six kills, while Josie Schultz, Allison Dorigo, and Daisci Burrows each added three. Amor Rapoza dished out a team-high nine assists, and Burrows led Warner Pacific with 14 digs. The Knights were held to just 19 kills and committed 20 attacking errors in the match.
The Warriors will take advantage of their long weekend off as the remainder of the Pacific Northwest programs compete in their second-half CCC openers, as the Dubs won't take to the hardwood again until Friday, October 16th when they'll travel to No. 1-ranked Eastern Oregon University (21-0, 10-0) for a 6pm first serve within Quinn Coliseum.
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