CHULA VISTA, Calif. – For the first time all season long, Corban University Beach Volleyball head coach Dan Stephens was able to breathe a sigh of relief, as his program not only captured the inaugural NAIA West Championship earlier this morning, but they did so in overriding fashion by taking all eight sets played today against No. 6-ranked University of Saint Katherine that featured a 3-0 final score once the sand had settled. It was a "third times the charm" mentality for the program, who leave Chula Vista with a championship trophy for the first time in the three seasons that they've made the journey down.
"We finally got it done in southern California!" Coach Stephens exclaimed. "We weren't going to settle for an at-large bid for nationals, as we wanted that guarantee and a good seed in the big show. This team has made great improvements throughout the season, and the strong competition we have in the CCC prepared us for this finals match. I know this team has a great deal more to learn, and their potential is limitless. Avari, Kea, and I are so proud of this team, they're coaching ability, and the way they care for each other. We look forward to what they will accomplish in the national tournament."
The Warriors (20-3) seized control of the championship matchup from the beginning serves, taking the first point of both the twos and fours and despite some pushback from the Firebirds (14-9), kept outperforming their opponents when it mattered most. In their initial dual with USK yesterday morning, the Navy and Gold were able to flip the opening pairs from 0-2 deficit into a 2-0 advantage by forcing third sets, which they eventually won to force a 4-1 victory.
After being forced to play three sets in both duals yesterday, the second pairing of junior Jessica McMillian and freshman Danae Stokes alongside fourth overall duo of redshirt freshman Erin Scott and freshman Allyson Reid kept those last minute panics in the past with their dominant showings today. McMillian/Stokes each cruised to 21-13- and 21-15 set scores, while Scott/Reid held off last minute comeback bids to end each period 22-20 and 21-19.
Needing just one more pair result to secure the championship and end the dual on the spot with "play to decision" ruling in effect, both the ones and fives kicked off their matchups with opening set victories, led by top twosome of junior Megan Dennis and freshman Emma Bischoff who continued to prove who the true best pair in the CCC and Cal Pac are with a 21-19 first set win over Saint Katherine's Alexcis Morris and Anne Mayfield.
Back-and-forth the fifth and third pairs clashed alongside USK, with both Corban duos emerging victorious in the first sets. Fifth pairing of redshirt sophomore Sydney Sanford and freshman Cammie Masanda held on for a 21-18 win, while third pair composed of sophomore Emmi Marks and freshman Kiley Power battled back from a late deficit to snag a 22-20 score in their favor. However, it was Dennis and Bischoff who held center stage as the result seemed to near an end, with the duo leading late in the second set on court one.
With Dennis serving for match point, Morris and Mayfield handled the reception and sent an attack flying back at Bischoff, which she handled with ease. Dennis' set couldn't have been more perfect at the top of the net, which allowed Bischoff to slam the championship winning point down in front of Mayfield and caused the Warrior sideline to erupt on to the field of play. With the decision officially having been made, both the threes and fives were adjourned on the spot, allowing the entire Corban program to celebrate in front of numerous Warrior fans.
No. 2 Corban 3, No. 6 USK 0
1. Megan Dennis/Emma Bischoff (CRB) def. Alexcis Morris/Anne Mayfield (USK) 21-19, 21-15
2. Danae Stokes/Jessica McMillian (CRB) def. Katie Alexander/Natalie Hill (USK) 21-13, 21-15
3. Emmi Marks/Kiley Power (CRB) led Bailey Combs/Camille Harvey (USK) 1-0 in sets
4. Allyson Reid/Erin Scott (CRB) def. Makenzie Nutting/Denisse Sanchez (USK) 22-20, 21-19
5. Cammie Masanda/Sydney Sanford (CRB) led Emily Wilson/Gabby Alexander (USK) 1-0 in sets
Warrior Nation no longer needs to wait until Monday morning to see if Corban beach volleyball will get a bid to the NAIA National Invitational, as their victory this morning provides them with one of the four automatic bids that will be announced this upcoming week. They anticipate a top three seed entering the national postseason tournament and will more than likely represent the Cascade Collegiate and Cal Pac Conferences as the top program after their 5-0 weekend in Chula Vista.
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