SIOUX CITY, Iowa – For the first time in program history, the No. 4 Corban University Women’s Volleyball team (33-4) will play for a National Championship Red Banner tomorrow evening, as the Warriors knocked their metaphorical Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) chip off their shoulders, defeating conference rival No. 1 Eastern Oregon University (34-3) in the NAIA Semifinals in four sets, 25-27, 25-19, 25-19, and 25-17.
“Eastern is an extremely well-coached team and talented team, it was a shame we had to see them in the Semifinals and not the National Championship, as I believe the CCC is a very tough conference that prepares us for this tournament every season,” Warriors Head Coach Kim McLain said shortly after her team’s most historic win thus far in program history.
McLain expanded her thoughts on the victorey by sharing, “We had to serve them tough to keep them out of system, something we’re more than familiar with after facing them for the fourth time this season. Defense at the net was huge for us tonight, as well as in the backcourt. Just extremely proud of this team and how they have focused and played as a family all the way to the final round of this tournament. We’re very excited and honored to be in the championship match tomorrow night! We know it will be a battle no matter who we face!”
This marks the highest win total for a single season in program history, reaching the 33-win mark in dramatic fashion at the Tyson Events Center. The Warriors and Mounties will end the season with an even 2-2 record against each other, after playing through four of the hardest fought matches the NAIA has seen in one year.
The cardiac kids of Corban and EOU kicked off the first set exactly how they’ve began every other match they’ve faced each in this season, with both squads posting multiple runs to keep us locked at a 22-all tie before the real drama began.
Back-to-back kills from senior outside hitter Avari Ridgway put the Warriors in a 24-22 advantage, becoming the first team to reach set point this evening. However, EOU quickly staved off two-straight set points to force a 25-25 tie, which the Mounties were able capitalize on to come back and take the set, 27-25.
EOU began the second set on an 11-7 run, forcing an early Warrior’ timeout and looking to take a 2-0 set lead over Corban. Out of the timeout, the Warriors scored five-straight points and would refuse to relinquish the lead for the remainder of the contest, as Eastern Oregon was only able to tie the contest twice en route to the Navy and Gold’s match-tying set win. A kill from sophomore outside hitter Rylee Troutman clinched the set and sent the Warriors and Mounties to a huge third set opportunity.
With momentum now on the Warriors’ sideline, they opened the set on a 7-1 run, forcing EOU into a timeout with just eight points scored thus far in the set. The Mountaineers would climb within two points at 19-17, but Corban scored 6 of the last eight points to take the integral set win, pushing them one step closer to the biggest match of their lives.
While the Mounties were able to control the fourth set early, the Warriors’ thirst for an upset win was too fierce, as the Navy and Gold quickly burst onto the scene to take a 12-8 advantage and forced Eastern Oregon into a calling another timeout early in the set. Eight points later, and the Warriors have themselves a sizeable 18-10 lead, as Warrior Nation rose to their feet to applaud the outstanding job their program has put together thus far.
Eastern Oregon was able to score five-straight points to cause some uneasiness, but the damage had already been done, as a kill from Troutman put a bow on perfect ending to their 2022 rivalry with the Mounties.
Ridgway completed the game of her historic career this evening, dropping 21 kills and 22 digs, both of which were game-high in each category and her dig count matched her career-high for a single match, hitting at a .381 attacking percentage. She added four block assists for the third most on the team, part of an incredible 12-block performance for the Warriors.
Troutman complimented Ridgway with 17 kills and 12 digs for yet another double-double, adding a solo block and block assist at the net. Senior opposite hitter Ally Schmidt added nine kills, eight digs, and six block assists, all of which are season-highs for the Sweet Home native.
The setting core of senior Jadyn Mullen and freshman Abby Guindy came ready to play tonight, dealing out 28 and 26 assists, respectively, more than any single Mountaineer as both a starter and second rotation setter. Mullen also added 15 digs for another double-double and three service aces in her penultimate match as a Warrior.
Senior libero Kealani Ontai clipped 14 digs and added a service ace to command the backcourt for Corban, adding once again to her school record dig total. At the net, sophomore middle blocker Allyson Reid led all student-athletes with three solo blocks and two assisted blocks for four total blocks in total.
Eastern Oregon’s outside hitter Sade Williams secured the only consistent offensive night for a Mountie, totaling 10 kills and added 11 digs in her backcourt rotations. Middle blocker Kara Clayton tallied nine kills, while outside hitter Preslee Jensen added eight kills offensively.
Libero Hailey Arritola dug out 20 digs for the Mountaineers, leading the team defensively. Middle blocker Cambree Scott tied Schmidt for the game-high in assisted blocks with six on the evening. Clayton and outside hitter Ashton Haughton added four block assists apiece to help lead the Mounties comeback effort.
Eastern Oregon will end their incredible 2022 season with a CCC Regular Season and Tournament Championship, while Corban will be the designated home team for the final match of the season to compete for a National Championship Banner.
The No. 4 Warriors will now play for their first NAIA National Championship banner in school history tomorrow evening against No. 2 University of Jamestown (36-2) at 7pm CST, 5pm PST, and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN3, and a live stats link will be made available tomorrow online on the Corban Volleyball Schedule.
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