PORTLAND, Ore. – The No. 4-ranked Corban University women's volleyball team bounced back in Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play on Saturday afternoon, earning a convincing straight-set road sweep over Warner Pacific University at C.C. Perry Gymnasium. The Warriors controlled the match from start to finish, hitting .333 as a team while posting 25-14, 25-21, and 25-17 set scores to improve to 8-3 overall and 1-1 in conference action.
"Tonight's win was a complete team effort," shared Corban head coach Kim McLain. "I'm proud of the way we continue to work each day to improve and grow as one. We know there's still a long road ahead, and we look forward to taking this journey one day at a time."
Corban established its presence immediately in the opening set, racing to a 4-0 advantage before extending the margin to 8-2. The Warriors received early offensive contributions from senior outside hitter Emma Bischoff, freshman outside hitter Greta Van Gemert, redshirt sophomore middle blocker Jenna Konzelman, and senior outside hitter Kendra Bittle, helping Corban maintain separation throughout the frame. A late 7-1 run fueled by multiple Bischoff kills and a service ace from redshirt freshman setter Braeleigh MacAskill put the set out of reach as the Warriors cruised to a 25-14 win.
The second stanza proved to be the most competitive of the afternoon. Warner Pac (0-3, 0-2) built a 10-7 lead midway through the set, but Corban responded behind the serving of Bischoff, who delivered back-to-back aces during a 6-0 surge that swung momentum back to the Navy and Gold. The Knights closed within two points on multiple occasions, but kills from Van Gemert, Bischoff, Bittle, and freshman middle blocker Eliana Klos helped the Warriors maintain control down the stretch and secure a 25-21 set victory.
Holding a two-set advantage, Corban wasted little time putting away the match in the third set. After trailing 2-0, the Warriors rattled off a dominant 20-5 run, fueled by a balanced attack, aggressive serving, and strong net play. Bittle sparked the surge with a service ace and several key points, while Konzelman, Bischoff, junior middle blocker Gracee Robertson, and freshman outside hitter Racquel Gauna all contributed to the offensive outburst. Warner Pacific mounted a late run on set-point, but Corban closed out the contest with a Konzelman kill for the 25-17 set win and the CCC road sweep.
Bischoff paced the Warrior offense with a match-high 13 kills on a .455 attacking percentage while adding two service aces, seven digs, and two block assists. Bittle registered seven kills on a .412 clip and matched the team lead with two aces. Van Gemert added seven kills and three digs, while Konzelman chipped in four kills and a team-best three block assists. Corban's setters guided a balanced attack, with senior Nadeiah Howard dishing out 20 assists, adding two aces and six digs, while MacAskill contributed 10 assists, an ace, and five digs. Defensively, junior libero Dani Street led the back row with 11 digs as the Warriors held Warner Pacific to a .097 team hitting percentage.
Notable Statistics
- Corban hit .333 as a team, including a match-best .407 attacking percentage in the third set.
- The Warriors recorded advantages in kills (44-27), assists (42-27), service aces (8-6), digs (46-33), and blocks (11-0 in total block assists/solo block points).
- Emma Bischoff led all players with 13 kills and 16.0 points.
With the opening week split in conference play secured, the Warriors will now prepare for their first true road trip in CCC action. Corban returns to action on Friday, September 11th, when they travel to face Northwest University (4-7, 0-2) at 6pm in Kirkland.
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