OLYMPIA, Wash. – The No. 4-ranked Corban University Women's Volleyball team capped off a perfect weekend in Washington on Saturday afternoon by dispatching The Evergreen State College in straight sets at the Costantino Recreation Center. Behind a balanced offensive attack and efficient defensive play, the Warriors cruised to a 25-15, 25-12, 25-11 victory to improve to 10-3 overall and 3-1 in Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) competition.
"It was a great weekend for us on the road," shared Warriors' head coach Kim McLain. "We continued to play with confidence, served aggressively, and stayed focused on executing our game plan. I'm proud of the consistency we showed across both matches this weekend and we look forward to returning to our home court next week."
The Geoducks (1-7, 0-4) battled evenly with Corban through the early stages of the opening frame, as the score sat tied at 6-all. From there, however, the Navy and Gold began to separate themselves behind the attacking efforts of freshman opposite hitter Greta Van Gemert, junior opposite hitter Lauryn Copeland, and senior outside hitter Kendra Bittle. Corban used a decisive 17-9 stretch to close the set, highlighted by a late run sparked by kills from Copeland, senior outside hitter Emma Bischoff, junior middle blocker Gracee Robertson, securing a 25-15 opening-set triumph.
The second set belonged entirely to the Warriors, as they raced out to a 6-0 lead behind Bittle's serving and never allowed Evergreen to gain momentum. Multiple extended service runs stretched the advantage throughout the set, while Van Gemert, Bischoff, and Copeland continued to pressure the Geoduck defense. A late rally fueled by junior defensive specialist Madison Hernandez at the service line helped the Warriors finish off a dominant 25-12 set victory and move within one set of the sweep.
Seeking their third consecutive sweep in CCC play and sixth on the season, Corban delivered its most commanding performance of the afternoon in the third set. The Warriors jumped ahead 11-2 early following a lengthy service surge from Hernandez and continued to add to their cushion behind efficient attacking and solid net play. Evergreen never threatened the deficit as the Dubs closed out the match with a comfortable 25-11 final-set victory, completing the weekend road trip without dropping a set.
The Warrior attack featured four players with at least six kills, led by Van Gemert's team-high 10 kills on a .368 attacking percentage. Copeland and Bischoff added nine kills apiece while hitting .500 and .421, respectively, and Bittle chipped in six kills alongside three service aces and seven digs. Senior setter Nadeiah Howard orchestrated the offense with a match-high 21 assists, while sophomore setter Kawena Crowell added 13 assists. Defensively, junior libero Dani Street tallied nine digs, and redshirt sophomore middle blocker Jenna Konzelman contributed four block assists as Corban posted an outstanding .388 team attacking percentage.
For the Geoducks, Sophia Scroggins paced the offense with eight kills, while Annalise Orlowski added five kills and a service ace. Jayden Vaimaona distributed a team-best 12 assists, and Jaci Yamada recorded a match-high nine digs. Evergreen finished the contest with an even .100 attacking percentage against the Warrior defense.
Notable Statistics
- Corban hit a season-best .388 as a team while holding Evergreen to a .100 attacking percentage.
- The Warriors owned advantages in kills (40-23), assists (37-23), service aces (11-1), digs (35-25), and blocks (5-2).
- Four Warriors recorded at least six kills, led by Greta Van Gemert's 10-kill effort.
- Nadeiah Howard finished with 21 assists, seven digs, and two service aces.
- Corban completed the weekend road trip with consecutive sweeps over Northwest University and The Evergreen State College, winning all six sets played.
With three consecutive conference victories secured, the Warriors will return home next weekend for a pivotal four-game homestand, beginning with No. 9-ranked The College of Idaho (11-0, 4-0) who is currently unbeaten and off to their best start in program history. First serve inside the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center is scheduled for Friday, September 18th, at 6pm.
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