ASHLAND, Ore. – The No. 2-ranked Corban University Volleyball team demonstrated exactly why they're a Top 5 program in the NAIA today in their first regular season contests of the 2023 slate, as the steamrolled their Raider Invitational opponents in straight sets, starting with Simpson University (0-2, 0-0) by set scores of 25-17, 25-17, and 25-8 before ending with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (1-3, 0-0) via final scores of 25-18, 25-16, and 25-8.
"We're excited to be back on the court for a new season!" Warriors' head coach Kim McLain stated earlier this evening. "I am proud of how the team made strides throughout the day as well as adjusting on a match-to-match basis. I look forward to continuing our journey tomorrow!"
GAME 1 – Corban 3, Simpson 0
In completely precedented fashion, junior outside hitter Rylee Troutman was on the attacking end of the first kill for the Warriors in 2023, as she rolled to four kills in the first 14 points for Corban before Simpson called timeout as they were quickly doubled up on 14-7 to open the contest.
After a slight four-point run from the RedHawks that tempted Coach McLain into taking her own timeout, Troutman and the Warriors sprinted to the finish line in the first set, clinching the first set 25-17 over Simpson.
The Navy and Gold frustrated the RedHawks once again early in the second set, as the block and kill totals continued to skyrocket as they jumped out to a 13-6 lead. Although the Warriors surrendered another slight run to Simpson, another 25-17 set final was in store for the brigade of Warrior Nation fans that made the trip south from Salem, securing a 2-0 set lead as they entered the third set.
The experienced core and young playmakers for Corban kept the momentum heavily in their favor, as they would go on to force a 10-3 lead before Simpson utilized a timeout to rethink a possible come-from-behind gameplan. In the end, the multiple weapons at the disposal of Coach McLain and her staff proved to be too much for the RedHawks to handle, as the Navy and Gold secured their first 3-0 sweep of the season following a 25- third set score.
Eleven different Warriors secured at least one kill in today's season opening victory, including a game-high ten apiece from Troutman and sophomore opposite hitter Kylie Davey. Junior middle blocker Allyson Reid tallied eight kills as well to help set the pace for one of the most potent offenses in the NAIA last season. Sophomore setter Abby Guindy notched a game-high 17 assists while true freshman setter Nadeiah Howard earned the first nine dimes of her collegiate career.
The defense shined brightest today for Corban, as the Warriors smashed 11.0 blocks to set a lofty season-high mark, alongside 51 team digs in the back court. Reid was responsible for almost a third of the total blocks with 3.5 on the day, while junior libero Marissa Uehara led the team with 14 digs, each of which were the game-high marks.
The RedHawks were led offensively by outside hitter Tiana Nihipali and her seven kills, while middle blocker Julia Zamfir followed closely behind with four kills. No other RedHawk had more than two kills to their name due to the overwhelming Warrior block parade on exhibit this afternoon.
Simpson libero Emilly Melo dug up 12 balls to pace the defense for the designated road team, while outside hitter Katie Graham returned two assisted blocks.
GAME 2 – Corban 3, ERAU 0
Embry-Riddle challenged Corban early in game two for the Warriors, keeping pace through the middle of the first set before Corban secured a six-point run to provide themselves with a slight edge. Troutman was hitting at an incredibly high rate through the first set, as the Warriors held on to a 25-18 first set victory with Troutman accounting for six kills and just one error.
The Eagles were unable to hold up to the same expectations in the second set, as the Navy and Gold steamrolled to a quick and efficient 25-16 victory to sit just one set away from an opening day sweep over two NAIA programs from the GSAC and Cal Pac.
Just like in their contest against the RedHawks, the third set was all Warriors, as Corban flipped on the auto pilot and cruised to another 25-8 final set score to complete day one on a perfect set streak. Today marks the first time since 2021 that the Navy and Gold opened the season with back-to-back sweeps.
Troutman paced the offense for both programs once again in game two, securing a game-high 13 kills with only two errors for a healthy .440 kill percentage alongside eight digs in the backcourt. Sophomore opposite hitter Makayla Roginski fell one kill shy of the double-digit mark with no errors, leading to a .563 attacking mark. Both Troutman and Roginski secured three block assists to trail Reid's fiver-mark. Guindy and Howard recorded 19 and 18 assists, respectively, to lead the Warriors' offense.
Eagles' middle blocker Dalia Haase was the only ERAU player to reach double-digit points, securing 10 kills with four errors at the net. Setter Katie Rolle narrowly locked up the game-high mark for assists by dropping a twenty-bomb and accounting for over 85% of the Eagles' assists.
The Raider Invitational will continue tomorrow afternoon for the No. 2-ranked Corban Volleyball team, as the No. 2 Warriors will serve as the home team against the RV Lions of Vanguard University (2-0, 0-0) before swapping to their road jerseys in their final match of the week against Menlo College (1-1, 0-0). Both games are scheduled for 12pm and 4pm start times, respectively.
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