Corban senior defensive specialist Karissa Legg (Murrieta, Calif.) recorded a season- and team-high 10 digs. (Photo credit: Doug Pfeiler)
SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University volleyball team couldn't keep pace with the Concordia Cavaliers after a tight first set and fell in straight sets (25-20, 25-11, 25-17) on Saturday evening in a Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) affair.
The Warriors (3-8, 0-4 CCC) debuted their most efficient offensive effort in the opening stanza, attacking for 13 kills and a 0.242 hitting percentage. With the set tied at three apiece, the Navy and Gold used a quick 7-2 spurt to establish its largest lead of the match thanks to freshman outside hitter Shantelle Hill (Pasco, Wash.), who accounted for three kills in the run.
After Concordia (7-4, 4-0 CCC) tied the set at 10, Corban managed to reclaim the lead, 13-10, after kills by senior outside hitter Miah Smith (Albany, Ore.) and freshman middle blocker Sloane Morrison (Edmonds, Wash.). However, Concordia managed to close the set on a 15-7 run thanks to the passing of sophomore setter Jenessa Taylor, who accounted for all of the 16 Cavalier assists in the set.
In set two, Concordia jumped out to a 16-6 lead, as Corban only managed to receive points from Smith and Hill. A kill by Concordia senior outside hitter Lindsey Montgomery locked up the second set for the Cavaliers, 25-11.
Errors proved costly in set three, as Corban again fell behind early, 6-18. The Warriors only managed to attack for a 0.033 hitting percentage compared to 13 kills and a 0.212 mark by Concordia. A trio of kills by freshman middle blocker Karen Blackmer (Everett, Wash.) brought the Warriors to within eight (15-23), but a Corban attack error and a Cavalier kill by sophomore outside hitter Brenna Huwe gave the match to Concordia.
As a team, Corban recorded 28 kills, including nine from Hill. Meanwhile, Smith and Morrison chipped in eight and five kills, respectively. Defensively, senior defensive specialist Karissa Legg (Murrieta, Calif.) reeled in a season- and team-high 10 digs.
The Cavaliers were led by junior outside hitter Ashley Jibby, who compiled 13 kills and six digs in the match. Moreover, Taylor posted a season- and career-high 38 assists.
The Warriors hit the road for their next match on Sept. 19 against No. 14 Eastern Oregon University in La Grande at 7 p.m.