Corban volleyball celebrates after scoring a point in its 3-0 victory over New Hope Christian College. (Photo credit: Doug Pfeiler)
EUGENE, Ore. – Newcomers led the way as the Corban University volleyball team began its 2014 campaign with a convincing 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-14) rout over New Hope Christian College on Friday afternoon. The Warriors shined offensively and finished with an impressive attack percentage of 0.426, including 33 kills en route to the non-conference triumph.
Freshman middle blocker Sloane Morrison (Edmonds, Wash) finished with a game- and team-high 11 kills, two block assists, and a 0.733 hitting percentage. The Warriors also received some offense from freshman opposite hitter Shelby Miller (Lebanon, Ore.), who chipped in six kills. On the serving end, freshman setter Rachel Smith (Moscow, Idaho) accounted for a quartet of the team's nine aces.
After falling behind in the first set, 2-4, Corban (1-0) responded with a 7-1 run capped off by a kill from senior outside hitter Claire Bailey (Santa Rosa, Calif.). After the Deacons cut the deficit to two (10-8), the Warriors surged to score 10 of the next 12 points in the set thanks to six New Hope Christian errors and four Corban kills.
The second set saw Corban jump out to an 8-3 advantage thanks to the aggressive play of Morrison, who emerged for three kills in the run.
"I don't start out anything with expectations, so it was really great to play with all of these people," commented Morrison. "I got to hit off our setters. It was really good to be making connections and having it count for something."
Eight errors and a -0.174 hitting percentage plagued the Deacons (0-2) in the second set, allowing the Warriors to take a 25-13 set victory heading into intermission.
In the third set, Morrison continued to lead on the offensive end. Up 11-7, Morrison came in from the outside to send a kill into Deacon territory off an assist by Miller. Two plays later, she struck again with a kill to help Corban double-up New Hope Christian, 14-7, forcing the Deacons to call a timeout.
The Deacons attempted to sneak back into the match, as freshman middle blocker Zoe Morelli (Maupin, Ore.) sent in a kill to cut the Warrior lead to three at 15-12. However, New Hope Christian would go on to commit errors on seven of the next 11 plays to lead Corban to match point.
As a team, the Warriors displayed good ball movement with 30 assists on the afternoon. Corban also went on to top New Hope Christian in digs, 31-28. Moreover, the Warriors took advantage of the Deacons' 26 attack errors and -0.107 hitting percentage.
After the win, senior libero Katherine Salness (Portland, Ore.) and Morrison talked about the exciting season-opening win. Watch the full interview here.
The Warriors will return to the hardwood tomorrow as they take on West Coast Baptist in Calistoga, Calif. at 2 p.m. before traveling to Angwin, Calif. for a matchup with Pacific Union College at 8 p.m.