The triumph snapped Corban's 10-match losing skid.
SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University volleyball team can finally breathe a sigh of relief, as the Warriors snagged their first Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) win in a thrilling 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 15-25, 25-18) victory over The Evergreen State College on Saturday night. The triumph snapped Corban’s ten-match losing skid.
“I’m very proud of every member of the team and the resilience they’ve demonstrated in continuing to work hard and work together,” stated head coach Tracy Smith.
Trailing 12-13 in the opening stanza, Corban (4-11, 1-7 CCC) ignited a 6-0 run thanks to the aggressive play of both freshman outside hitter Sloane Morrison (Edmonds, Wash.) and freshman outside hitter Duree Standley (Redmond, Ore.), who tallied two kills apiece in the run. At set point, 24-21, freshman outside hitter Shantelle Hill (Pasco, Wash.) connected with sophomore setter Haley Meili (Eugene, Ore.) and attacked for a kill to grant the Navy and Gold its first opening-set win since Aug. 30 against Bethel University.
In the second set, Evergreen (11-9, 2-5 CCC) claimed an early 4-1 lead following a kill by sophomore outside hitter Nicole Pittelkau. However, Morrison again aided a Corban run, accounting for three kills in a 7-0 burst to give the Warriors an 8-4 lead. With Corban leading 22-19, Standley swung in for a kill, and the Geoducks committed an attack error to bring the Warriors to set point. Moments later, Hill attacked for a kill to give the Navy and Gold a two-set lead.
In the third frame, Corban couldn’t overcome Evergreen’s 0.394 attack percentage and dug itself an early hole, 10-18. Hill again connected with Meili for a kill to cut the lead to six (14-20), but four kills and a service ace by Evergreen provided enough fuel for the Geoducks to claim set three.
The early stages of set four saw a back-and-forth affair between the two CCC teams, as Corban crept to a 13-11 advantage capped by a Morrison kill. After Evergreen junior outside hitter Brandy Iverson attacked for a kill on the next possession, the Warriors responded with a 7-2 run to escape to a 20-14 lead. An attack point by freshman middle blocker Karen Blackmer (Everett, Wash.) lifted Corban to set point, and a kill by senior outside hitter Miah Smith (Lebanon, Ore.) turned the sideline into elation as the Warriors celebrated the victory.
Morrison paced Corban’s offense with a career- and season-high 19 kills and only one error in the match. Hill recorded her fifth double-double of the season, as she notched 14 kills and 14 digs. Meanwhile, Meili compiled a career- and season-best 49 assists to go along with 12 digs in the match. Corban executed one of its best defensive performances of the season, as senior defensive specialist Karisa Legg (Murrieta, Calif.) and senior libero Katherine Salness (Portland, Ore.) added 13 and 11 digs, respectively.
The Geoducks were led by Pittelkau and senior middle blocker Brandee Victorino, as they added 12 kills apiece. In addition, senior setter Jackie Trinque recorded 37 assists and 7 digs.
As a team, the Warriors attacked for its best percentage (0.243) since its season-opener against New Hope Christian College. Corban notched 56 kills, 53 assists, and 68 digs. Meanwhile, Evergreen attacked for a 0.213 hitting percentage and recorded 47 kills, 45 assists, and 63 digs.
After the match, Hill caught up with the Sports Information Office to talk about the victory. Click here to see the interview.
Corban will return to action on Oct. 3 to take on Northwest Christian University in Salem, Ore. at 7 p.m.