SALEM, Ore. – Continuing one of the most challenging stretches of its conference schedule, the No. 6-ranked Corban University Women's Volleyball team returned to the win column in dramatic fashion Friday night. The Warriors overcame an opening-set setback and a fourth-set Oregon Tech rally before prevailing in a five-set marathon, defeating the Owls 18-25, 25-16, 25-16, 23-25, 15-11 inside the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center. The victory improves Corban to 11-5 overall and 4-3 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play, while Tech drops to 8-7 overall and 2-5 in conference action.
Warriors' head coach Kim McLain shared, "We had a slow start tonight and struggled with some unforced errors, but I'm proud of how this team responded by cleaning things up and found a way to get the win. We look forward to tomorrow's match and will continue putting in the work to get better each day."
After back-to-back losses to a pair of top four nationally ranked foes in College of Idaho and Eastern Oregon University, the Warriors were met with another challenge as Oregon Tech controlled much of the opening frame. The Owls built a 9-4 lead and never relinquished momentum, hitting .133 while forcing the Warriors into a negative attack percentage en route to a 25-18 first-set victory. Of Corban's nine attacking errors in the opening set, Tech netted just four blocks, resulting in five Warrior unforced attacking miscues.
Corban's response in the second frame was nothing short of was emphatic. Trailing 12-6 midway through the second set, the Warriors completely flipped the contest behind a dominant service run from senior outside hitter Emma Bischoff. Bischoff led the Navy and Gold to 11 consecutive points, exploding for a 19-4 run to close the frame and thus turn a six-point deficit into a commanding 25-16 victory. Strong contributions from Bischoff, junior opposite hitter Lauryn Copeland, senior outside hitter Kendra Bittle, and junior middle blocker Gracee Robertson fueled the comeback and evened the match.
The momentum carried into the third stanza as Corban gradually separated behind balanced offense and much improved play at the net. The Warriors held Oregon Tech to a .064 attacking percentage while receiving key finishes from freshman middle blocker Eliana Klos, Bischoff, Bittle, and freshman opposite hitter Greta Van Gemert. A late 9-3 surge put the set comfortably out of reach, giving Corban a second-straight 25-16 win and a 2-1 match advantage.
Looking to close out the match in four sets, the Warriors battled through a tightly contested fourth frame. Corban erased a seven-point deficit and eventually tied the set at 21-21 after a late push led by Bischoff and Robertson. However, Oregon Tech answered with timely points down the stretch, escaping with a 25-23 victory to force a deciding fifth set.
After quickly falling behind 2-0, Corban reeled off five consecutive points to seize control of the winner-take-all fifth set. Tech managed to knot the score at 10-all and eke ahead 11-10, but the Warriors delivered in the clutch, scoring the final five points of the match despite a Lady Owl timeout. A Bittle service ace gave Corban a late advantage before kills from Van Gemert and Klos sealed the 15-11 set victory and secured a hard-fought conference win.
Bischoff continued her outstanding senior season with a match-high 18 kills, 20 digs, and three service aces for yet another double-double performance. Bittle added 12 kills, 11 digs, and two aces for a double-double of her own, while Klos recorded seven kills and five total blocks in her first collegiate start.
Corban's two-setter attack proved effective following the opening set, as senior Nadeiah Howard tallied 19 assists and 12 digs while redshirt freshman Braeleigh MacAskill added 22 assists and eight digs. Defensively, junior libero Dani Street anchored the back row with 27 digs, while Roberton and Copeland tied for the match-high mark in blocks with five assisted and two solo stuffs.
For the Owls, Alexa Gugliotta paced the offense with 14 kills on a .387 attacking percentage, while Tiffini Goss and Shalyn Bliss added eight and seven kills, respectively. Taryn Ramsay directed the attack with 37 assists and a match-high four service aces, while libero Kaley Whalen recorded a match-best 37 digs. Despite collecting 104 digs, Oregon Tech was limited to a .076 team attacking percentage by the Warrior defense.
Notable Statistics
- Bischoff recorded her third consecutive double-double with 18 kills and 20 digs.
- Bittle posted her second double-double in the last three matches, finishing with 12 kills and 11 digs.
- The Warriors totaled 90 digs and 13 combined blocks, showcasing one of their strongest defensive performances of the season.
- Corban rallied from a 12-6 deficit in the second set and a 10-10 tie in the fifth set to earn the victory.
The Warriors will conclude their homestand tomorrow afternoon when they host No. 17-ranked Southern Oregon University (12-5, 4-3) on Tim Hills Court. First serve is scheduled for 4pm as Corban looks to build momentum in the conference standings as they near the midway point of CCC play.
Follow Corban Athletics:
Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | YouTube | Email | Photo Galleries
