Amber Parker (#22) led Corban with 24 kills en route to the big win over Concordia University. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
PORTLAND, Ore. – Thanks to 24 kills from junior outside hitter Amber Parker, the Corban University Volleyball team came from behind to defeat former Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) foe and now NCAA D2 member, Concordia University (Ore.), in four sets (20-25, 27-25, 25-17, 25-23) on Saturday evening. For the Warriors, it was the first time they had defeated the Cavaliers since 2011.
"The team came out a little flat tonight and Concordia had a fast-paced offense that we were not prepared for," said Corban head coach Kim McLain. "We had to dig deep defensively! It will be good to be back in the gym working on areas of weakness!"
Parker, who is coming off of an All-American sophomore campaign in which she led the NAIA in kills/set, is off to a hot start in 2016, now averaging 6.12 kills/set, better than her mark from 2015. While it may only be two matches into the season, it is a sign that she won't be letting up anytime soon.
After falling behind for the first time all year as the Cavs won the first set, 25-20, the Warriors bounced back and came from behind to win set two, 27-25. Junior middle blocker Alaina Gentili came up with the crucial kill for Corban, putting the Warriors in front 26-25. A Concordia attacking error then gave Corban the second-set win. In that set, Corban hit for a .406 mark while Concordia notched a .289 attack percentage.
The third stanza was all Corban, as Corban built up a large lead early and didn't let up, ultimately finishing off the set with a 25-17 win.
Knowing it needed just one more set victory to seal the match, Corban had to come from behind in the fourth. Trailing 19-12, sophomore setter Madison McLain went on a dominant serving streak in which she brought Corban back within striking distance, and then the Warriors ultimately pushed in front 22-20. Concordia pulled even at 22-22, and then 23-23, but then the Warriors went to their ace, and Parker delivered with one thunderous kill and one perfectly-placed attack to win the match for Corban.
Parker hit for a .420 clip on the night with 24 kills and eight digs, while Gentili totaled 10 kills and hit for a .259 attack percentage while also notching one solo block and three block assists. Also providing a presence up front were sophomore middle blocker Kinley Hickok and junior middle blocker Bethany Filipenko. Hickok finished with four block assists, while Filipenko totaled five block assists and one solo block.
McLain dished out 43 assists for Corban in the win to go with 10 digs, while junior libero Haley Wells recorded a team-best 14 digs. Additionally, junior defensive specialist Kasey Calderon totaled 10 digs on the evening for the Warriors.
As a team, Corban hit for a .288 clip while holding Concordia to a .197 hitting mark.
Corban (2-0) returns to the court on Wednesday for a scrimmage with Saint Martin's University (Wash.) in Lacey, Wash. The Warriors then head east to Montana for the Big Sky Classic next weekend.