EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University volleyball team warded off a scrappy Corban University on Friday night, sweeping the Warriors 29-27, 25-12, 25-17. The win guarantees that the Beacons will be no worse than fourth in the Cascade Collegiate Conference heading into the second half of the CCC season.
The Beacons (13-5, 6-3 CCC) were led by Maren Mansfield (pictured) who hit .455 on the night with a match-leading 12 kills along with eight digs and two service aces. Janel Fetters posted ten kills and two aces. The NCU middle blockers continued to show their dominance at the net as Chandler Gabrio and Chelsea McGowan each had nine kills while hitting over .360. McGowan added four blocks.
Dana McGowan averaged over seven digs per set, collecting a match-high 22. She had ten digs in the second set alone. Senior Setter Cori Wallace continued her torrid pace in quarterbacking the Beacons offense, distributing the ball well while posting 37 assists. Over the past six matches, dating back to September 20, Wallace is averaging 11.64 assists per set as she has climbed to the no. 2 spot in the CCC.
Head Coach Mike Gaffaney said, “Cori had some struggles earlier this season with some decision making and focus which is common with all setters. She has shown some great improvements and tonight she assumed a greater role tonight and we are really satisfied with what she is doing. She was pretty dynamic tonight, moving the hitters around to put a lot of pressure on Corban.”
Corban (4-15, 1-8) was led by 12 kills from Olivia Shropshire and eight from Claire Bailey. The Warriors defended their side of the net well, out-blocking the Beacons 7-4. Payton Wilcox and Madison Purnell were each in on four of the blocks. Katherine Salness posted a team-high 13 digs while Haley Meili added 14 assists.
NCU will return to action next weekend when the Beacons play host to #19 Concordia University (14-3, 7-1) on Friday night. The Beacons will be looking to avenge a three-set loss to the Cavaliers earlier this season in Portland when the match tips-off at 7:00 pm. Corban will also be home next Friday night, hosting Warner Pacific (4-14, 1-7).
With nine games remaining in the regular season, the Beacons have their eyes focused on remaining in at least fourth place, which would give NCU a home playoff game in the CCC post-season. The top six teams qualify for the playoffs and while the top two seeds earn a first-round bye, the third and fourth place teams will open up at home.