No. 19 Corban Volleyball Opens Season with Five-Set Triumph Over No. 14 Hastings

8/21/2019 10:55:00 PM

Jarett Thoren, Director of Athletic Communications

HASTINGS, Neb. – It was trial by fire for the No. 19-ranked Corban University volleyball team, which opened its 2019 season on Wednesday night on the road against No. 14 Hastings College. Unfazed, the Navy and Gold would proceed to stun the hometown Lady Broncos in front of an electric crowd at the Lynn Farrell Arena, winning the NAIA top-25 clash in a five-set thriller (25-22, 25-19, 18-25, 22-25, 15-13). 

"Tonight was a great test for us," said head coach Kim McLain. "Hastings is big and strong at the net, and I am proud of how our team battled with them. It came down to focus and a never-give-up attitude in the fifth set. I am so proud of this team for coming together for the win!"

Despite the raucous and hostile environment, the Warriors appeared right at home during the beginning of the contest, taking sets one (25-22) and two (25-19) to capture a commanding early advantage. Hastings, determined to salvage a victory in the squad's own season opener, answered back with triumphs in the following two games, forcing a fifth stanza. 

The Lady Broncos seemed destined to complete the comeback, capturing an early lead in the fifth game. It wasn't until Sarena Bartley finished off a pinpoint set from Jadyn Mullen that the Warriors claimed a 13-12 advantage in the deciding game, their first lead of the set.

From there, an attacking error by Hastings' Lucy Skoch and a timely service ace from Cierra Leopoldino helped Corban finish off the exhilarating victory in front of a stunned Bronco crowd.

Avari Ridgway spearheaded the Warrior attack in the triumph, collecting 21 kills on the evening. Cassie Cunningham (12 kills) and Bartley (10 kills) each made their presence felt on the offensive end, as well.

Corban's two-setter tandem of Mullen and Leopoldino combined for 54 total assists, with Mullen racking up 29 and Leopoldino accruing 16. Defensively, familiar suspects Kealani Ontai (29 digs) and Lauren Condon (10 digs) picked up right where they left off in 2018, while newcomer Lanae Wohlmacher collected four total blocks at the net in her Navy and Gold debut.

For the Broncos, Emily Krolikowski shined brightest, delivering an impressive and efficient performance of 13 kills (.571 hitting percentage) on just one attacking error.

It's an invigorating start for the Warriors, who will have little time to celebrate the victory. Corban (1-0) will face another top NAIA squad tomorrow in the form of No. 11 Dordt University, with first serve slated for 6 p.m. CST in Sioux Center, Iowa.