CORVALLIS, Ore. – The 2021 Cascade Collegiate Conference volleyball schedule gets underway today, beginning a 22-match schedule to determine who will win the regular-season crown and the first of the CCC’s two automatic qualifiers (AQ). The top six teams in the final standings will also advance to the CCC Volleyball Championship Tournament presented by U.S. Bank, with the other AQ on the line.
Eastern Oregon University
was picked to win the conference championship, picking up eight of 12 possible first-place votes in the preseason poll after winning last year’s regular title.
Four CCC teams are currently ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA, with Corban University leading the charge. The Warriors opened the season 6-0 to move up eight spots to No. 7 from No. 15. EOU follows at No. 14, while Southern Oregon University sits at No. 21 on the rankings. Bushnell University is receiving votes in the poll.
Oregon Tech (4-1) at Walla Walla University (0-1) – Stats | Video
Oregon Tech opens the conference schedule at Walla Walla University, with first serve set for 2:00 p.m. Pacific. The Owls are on a two-match winning streak, taking down both Menlo College and UC Merced in three-straight sets. The Wolves look to bounce back after dropping their first match of the season at Whitman College.
Warner Pacific University (0-2) at Northwest University (4-1) – Stats | Video
Warner Pacific
University heads to Northwest University, looking to rebound from two losses to open the season. After opening the season with four-straight losses, the Eagles grabbed a 3-1 victory against Pacific Lutheran University and look to carry that momentum into the conference slate.
No. 21 Southern Oregon University (5-0) at Lewis-Clark State College (5-3) – Stats | Video
LC State started the season with four consecutive wins, but comes off a 1-3 weekend in Arizona. The Warriors have a big test in front of them as SOU comes to town. The Raiders are on a five-match winning streak and have only dropped two sets this season so far.
RV Bushnell University (4-0) at No. 14 Eastern Oregon University (5-3) – Stats | Video
Bushnell enters the conference slate coasting a four-match winning streak. The Beacons have only lost one set in their first four matches, which came from the team that took two off SOU. EOU has had a busy start to the season, playing eight matches in eight days. The Mountaineers come off a successful C of I/Eastern Oregon Fall Classic where they went 3-1, dropping a tight 3-2 battled to No. 5-ranked Dordt University. EOU looks to start the CCC season strong and defend its 2020 crown once again.
Multnomah University (1-0) at The Evergreen State College (0-1) – Stats | Video
After opting out of the 2020 season, The Evergreen State College put up a five-set battle to open the 2021 campaign, coming up just short. The Geoducks look to rebound as Multnomah University comes to town to open the conference season. The Lions grabbed a win to start their season, defeating fellow CCC member Warner Pacific University in non-conference action.
No. 7 Corban University (6-0) at The College of Idaho (3-5) – Stats | Video
The 2020 CCC Volleyball Tournament Champions have their eyes set on the regular-season title as the Warriors head into conference play. Corban is on a roll after opening with six-straight wins to start the season, four of which were against teams either receiving votes or ranked in the NAIA Coaches' Top-25 Poll at the time, including a series sweep of then-No. 9 Westmont College. The Coyotes host the Warriors, looking to snap a three-match losing streak with an upset. C of I is no stranger to winning at home though, as the Yotes have a 171-29 record at home, including a 73-match CCC win streak.