SALEM, Ore. – On day two of the Corban Invitational, the No. 2-ranked Corban University Beach Volleyball program conquered the relentless, stormy weather to split their overall day outcome against NCAA D1 opponents, with a 0-5 loss to Oregon University and a 4-1 victory to Sacramento State University. Today's win against the Hornets evens the head-to-head program series to one dual apiece.
"Today, I saw our team playing close games with the University of Oregon and losing right at the end of the sets, to being in the same situation against Sac State and taking command and finishing strong," shared Coach Dan Stephens shortly after their tournament finish. "That growth in mindset will be greater for our team than any skill we could improve on. This was a great two days of tough beach volleyball, and I am pleased with our progress so far as a team. We are looking forward to helping the players improve in skills and in staying focused on a game plan to the game's conclusion."
Despite fighting to three sets in two of the five matches, the Warriors (2-1) lost 5-0 to the Ducks (3-0) during a fierce wind battle.
Rebounding onto the next match, junior Alexis Adebodun and freshman Gabi Engels dominated the fourth pair with a 21-17, 21-15 two-set finish, to kickstart the Warriors' success after a 0-1 deficit to start the dual.
Senior Megan Dennis and sophomore Emma Bischoff proved why they are the top overall pairing for the Navy and Gold as they fought back from a 20-22 first-set loss to clinch the win via 21-19 and 16-14 set scores, withstanding the overtime pressure with ease.
Sealing the team triumph for the Warriors over Sac State, the third overall duo of junior Emmi Marks and senior Jessica McMillian controlled their match to a 21-14 and 21-18 end score.
Redshirt sophomore Erin Scott and redshirt freshman Kaile'a Ontai earned a come-from-behind victory in the fifth pair with 19-21, 21-17, 15-9 set scores, to collect Ontai's first collegiate beach volleyball win.
Match 1 - Oregon 5, No. 2 Corban 0
1. Ella Tyus/Bella Gamache (UO) def. Megan Dennis/Emma Bischoff (CRB) 27-25, 21-10
2. AJ Slojkowski/Landree Coats (UO) def. Danae Stokes/Cammie Masanda (CRB) 21-18, 21-15
3. Natasha George/Liz Rossi (UO) def. Emmi Marks/Jessica McMillian (CRB) 21-18, 21-13
4. Kamilah Checani/Isabel Patterson (UO) def. Gabi Engels/Alexis Adebodun (CRB) 21-15, 17-21, 15-11
5. Presley McCaskill/Kendall Clark (UO) def. Erin Scott/Kaile'a Ontai (CRB) 13-21, 21-19, 15-13
Ext. Kylie Strang/Maddox Snider (CRB) def. Dahlia McAllister/Macy Furtwangler (UO) 21-12, 21-13
Match 2 – No. 2 Corban 4, Sacramento State 1
1. Megan Dennis/Emma Bischoff (CRB) def. Caitlin Volkmann/Bridgette Smith (SAC) 20-22, 21-19, 16-14
2. Ashlynn Archer/Ellie Tisko (SAC) def. Danae Stokes/Cammie Masanda (CRB) 21-17, 21-17
3. Emmi Marks/Jessica McMillian (CRB) def. Karlie Spohn/Greta Davis (SAC) 21-14, 21-18
4. Gabi Engels/Alexis Adebodun (CRB) def. Victoria Marthaler/Mia Guevara (SAC) 21-17, 21-15
5. Erin Scott/Kaile'a Ontai (CRB) def. Kate Doorn/Savannah Risley (SAC) 19-21, 21-17, 15-9
Ext. Hailey Plugge/Abbey Kadillak (SAC) def. Katie Fraley/Payton Bazant (CRB) 21-18, 21-19
The Warriors will begin the regular conference season next Friday, February 28th in Eugene, where they will face The College of Idaho Yotes (0-0) and the Northwest University Eagles (0-0) in the two-day Bushnell tournament.
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