SALEM, Ore. – The No. 2-ranked Corban University Beach Volleyball team debuted their 2025 season with a victory over the NCAA DI University of Portland on day one of the Corban Invitational, demonstrating once more that the program can compete with high-caliber competition via their ninth-straight win over the Pilots in a 3-2 decision.
"I had a pretty good idea of the advancements the Pilots have made in their program, and it was great to see our team step up to the challenge," detailed Corban head coach Dan Stephens earlier today. "Everyone showed up to compete, and we were able to see the improvements we've made as well and it also showed us areas we need to work on. Tomorrow will be very challenging, and the conditions will make it even tougher so it will be a good test for us."
In their first dual this season, the Warriors (1-0) secured their tenth victory over the Pilots (0-2) in their twelfth matchup in program history by a team score of 3-2. The Navy and Gold showed their depth today as the wins came from the third, fourth, and fifth pairs.
The fourth pair for Corban, junior Alexis Adebodun and freshman Gabi Engels led the team to an early 1-0 lead, as the new roster additions cruised to a 21-12 and 21-11 set scores, etching their first win as Warriors.
As the dual progressed to 1-1, junior Emmi Marks and senior Jessica McMillian won their third pair match with 21-18 and 21-14 scores, putting the Warriors one win away from defeating the NCAA Division I foes.
Corban snagged the last necessary win in the fifth overall pairing, as redshirt sophomore Payton Bazant and freshman Katie Fraley duplicated 21-17 set scores to finish the Pilots off in two sets and clinched the dual for the Warriors.
No. 2 Corban 3, Portland 2
1. Erin Larsson/Leonie Freytag (UP) def. Megan Dennis/Emma Bischoff (CRB) 21-18, 23-21
2. Emily Wood/Annika Stammberger (UP) def. Danae Stokes/Cammie Masanda (CRB) 16-21, 21-17, 15-12
3. Emmi Marks/Jessica McMillian (CRB) def. Taylor Helle/Elizabeth Ortiz (UP) 21-18, 21-14
4. Gabi Engels/Alexis Adebodun (CRB) def. Elena Bullemer/Valerie Bruk (UP) 21-12, 21-11
5. Katie Fraley/Payton Bazant (CRB) def. Melissa Cormack/Michela Strati (UP) 21-17, 21-17
The Warriors will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday, February 22nd for day two of the Corban Invitational for a doubleheader against the University of Oregon Ducks and Sacramento State University Hornets at 12pm and 2pm, respectively.
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