SALEM, Ore. – The No. 5-ranked Corban University Women's Volleyball team wrapped up their second annual Hampton Inn Classic on Friday with a pair of high-level non-conference contests inside the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center. The Warriors opened the day with a dominant straight-set victory over RV Columbia International University before concluding tournament play with a hard-fought three-set setback against RV Taylor University. Corban moved to 7-2 overall on the young season after the split entering Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play.
"It was a good weekend of growth for our team," expressed head coach Kim McLain. "Taylor exposed some areas we need to improve, which is exactly what we want during non-conference play as we prepare for what's ahead. I saw a lot of really good things from our team throughout the weekend, along with areas we know we can continue to grow. We'll regroup, get back to work, and look forward to moving into conference play."
Match 1: No. 5 Corban 3, RV Columbia International 0
Set Scores: 25-15, 25-16, 25-19
After back-to-back sweeps to start the Hampton Inn Classic yesterday, the Warriors (7-2) showed little sign of slowing down in Friday's opener. Corban overwhelmed Columbia International (2-5) from the opening serve, utilizing a balanced offensive attack, aggressive serving, and relentless defensive pressure to secure yet another sweep on their home court.
The first set belonged entirely to the Navy and Gold. Behind early service runs from senior setter Nadeiah Howard and senior outside hitter Kendra Bittle, Corban raced out to a commanding 12-2 advantage and never looked back. Senior outside hitter Emma Bischoff, freshman opposite hitter Greta Van Gemert, and junior opposite hitter Lauryn Copeland spearheaded the offense as the Warriors led by as many as ten points before claiming the 25-15 opening frame.
Corban continued to control the tempo in the second stanza. The Warriors quickly answered a 2-0 run to start the set with an 8-1 surge highlighted by efficient attacking from Van Gemert and redshirt sophomore middle blocker Jenna Konzelman. Service pressure became the story midway through the set, as Bischoff and junior libero Dani Street combined for four service aces during a decisive run that stretched the lead into double digits. Corban never allowed CIU back into the contest and secured a 25-16 victory.
The third set featured Corban's deepest rotation of the afternoon, but the result remained the same. The Warriors exploded to an 8-0 lead behind Howard's serving before CIU attempted a late rally. Columbia International cut the margin to four points at 17-13, but Van Gemert, redshirt freshman middle blocker Karissa Riskey, and freshman middle blocker Eliana Klos supplied key points down the stretch to close out the sweep with a 25-19 final-set win.
Bischoff and Van Gemert shared the team lead with 10 kills apiece, with Bischoff adding nine digs, two service aces, and a .391 attacking percentage. Van Gemert hit .474 while also contributing a service ace. Bittle added seven kills and two aces, while Copeland chipped in five kills. Howard directed the offense with 24 assists and two service aces, while Street anchored the back row with a match-high 18 digs.
For Columbia Internation, outside hitter Mary Norwood paced the Rams with eight kills and a .292 kill percentage, while opposite hitter Zcearia James added six kills on a .333 clip. Middle blocker Ava Koselke was highly efficient with five kills on six swings for an .833 attacking percentage. Setters Maria Ferreira and Macy Brooks shared the setting duties with 13 and 11 assists, respectively, while libero Ashley Burgbacher led the back-row with 10 digs.
Notable Statistics
- Corban hit .347 as a team while limiting CIU to a .129 attack percentage.
- The Warriors recorded 45 kills compared to CIU's 26.
- Corban finished with 12 service aces.
- Dani Street posted a match-high 18 digs.
- Greta Van Gemert led Corban with a .474 attacking percentage among primary attackers.
- Corban improved to 7-1 overall with the victory.
Match 2: RV Taylor 3, No. 5 Corban 0
Set Scores: 26-24, 25-17, 25-22
Friday night's finale pitted two nationally recognized programs against one another, and despite a competitive effort throughout the evening, the Warriors could not overcome a balanced Taylor attack in a three-set defeat.
The opening set proved to be the most dramatic of the night. Taylor jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but Corban gradually chipped away behind kills from Bittle, Bischoff, and Copeland. Trailing 23-18 late in the set, the Warriors staged an impressive rally, scoring six of the next seven points to even the score at 24-all. Taylor answered with back-to-back points, however, to narrowly escape with a 26-24 victory.
The Trojans carried that momentum into the second frame, sprinting to an 8-2 advantage. Corban continued battling and received key offensive production from Bischoff and Copeland, but Taylor's efficient attack and strong defensive play both at the net and in the backcourt prevented the Warriors from making a sustained push. Taylor maintained control throughout the set and earned a 25-17 win to move within one set of the match.
The final stanza showcased Corban's resilience. The Warriors trailed 18-14 before mounting another charge behind consecutive service points from Dani Street and timely kills from Copeland, Bischoff, and Van Gemert. Corban eventually tied the score at 19-19, but Taylor responded with a decisive 6-3 closing run to secure the upset victory.
Bischoff led the Warriors with 12 kills while adding 10 digs for a double-double outing. Copeland also reached double figures with 11 kills and a .280 hitting percentage. Bittle contributed eight kills and 10 digs, while Van Gemert added six kills. Howard and sophomore setter Kawena Crowell combined for 36 assists, and Street finished with a match-high 19 digs. Jenna Konzelman made her presence felt at the net with five block assists and one solo block.
Taylor featured a balanced offensive attack with three players reaching double figures in kills. All three middle hitters in Daya Vestal (11 kills), Reagan Kleiman (10 kills), and Ruth Anderson (eight kills) torched the Corban backline. All-around setter Margo Hernandez directed the offense with 39 assists and collected 12 digs, while libero Mackenzie Gerig and defensive specialist Azure Flagle recorded 23 and eight digs, respectively.
Notable Statistics
- Bischoff recorded her first double-double of the Hampton Inn Classic with 12 kills and 10 digs.
- Copeland posted 11 kills to reach double figures for the sixth time this season.
- Street registered a match-high 19 digs.
- Corban totaled 13 team blocks compared to Taylor's eight.
- The Warriors held Taylor to a .136 attack percentage in the third set after the Trojans hit above .230 in each of the first two sets.
The Warriors now turn their attention toward CCC action, with Corban's next match scheduled for Wednesday, September 2nd when the Warriors travel to face No. 19-ranked Bushnell University (4-1) in Eugene at 6 p.m. PT
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