Corban downed C of I in four sets on Friday, completing the regular-season sweep of the Yotes. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
SALEM, Ore. – The No. 22-ranked Corban University volleyball team completed the season sweep of (RV) College of Idaho, winning in four sets (25-15, 33-31, 22-25, 25-17) for the second time in 2016. The key on the evening was Corban’s blocking, as the Warriors totaled 18 team blocks to just four for the Yotes, proving to be the difference in the four-set thriller.
“Our blocking was key tonight in a hard fought battle,” said Corban head coach Kim McLain. “I was proud of the girls and how they kept fighting for every point!”
Corban jumped all over C of I in the first set, winning comfortably 25-15. The second set was a different story, with both sides generating numerous set points in a marathon. Both teams seemed to be on the brink of capturing the set when the other would come up with a big play either defensively or offensively. Ultimately, after a kill by Warrior junior Amber Parker put Corban in front 32-31, and then a crucial block from the Warrior front line earned Corban the set-two triumph.
C of I showed real resiliency in the third stanza, hitting for a .293 mark en route to the three-point set victory.
In the fourth, Corban went on a run midway through the set to build a sizeable lead, and the Warriors were able to close out the match from there, capturing the pivotal Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) triumph.
For the Warriors, Parker led the way with 19 kills and 15 digs, while junior Alaina Gentili totaled 15 kills on a .355 hitting mark for Corban. Also helping out defensively was junior Haley Wells for Corban with 14 digs. Providing the big presence at the net was junior Marandah Boeder with nine block assists and two solo blocks, while fellow junior Bethany Filipenko added in seven block assists.
Dishing out the assists for Corban on the evening was sophomore Madison McLain, totaling 51 assists on the night.
For the Yotes (12-7, 7-4 CCC), it was a balanced attack offensively, with Brenna Meehan registering a team-best 16 kills, while Ashley Pagan notched 12 kills for C of I. In addition, both Randi Sturtz and Jackie Van Vliet recorded 10 kills apiece. Defensively, it was Cheyan Coburn racking up a match-high 21 digs for the Yotes in the defeat.
Corban (13-4, 9-2 CCC) returns to the court tomorrow when it takes on No. 6-ranked Eastern Oregon University in the NAIA Network match of the Week at 7 p.m. Live stats and live video will be available on Warrior TV.