SALEM, Ore. – The No. 5-ranked Corban University Women's Volleyball team continued its strong season Wednesday night, sweeping Bushnell University by a 3-0 final score (25-21, 25-15, 25-22) at the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center. The Warriors used an aggressive serving attack and balanced offensive effort to earn the sweep, improving to 15-5 overall and 8-3 in conference play. Senior outside hitter Emma Bischoff led the way with 12 kills and 10 digs, recording her seventh consecutive double-double.
"We knew we had to serve aggressively to disrupt their fast-paced offense. Our passing was key to our offensive success, and when it broke down, we struggled to find our rhythm. I'm proud of our team's fight and the way they responded, especially how they finished strong in the third set. There is a lot we can take from this match as we continue to grow and get better," said Corban head coach Kim McLain.
Corban opened the match with an early 7-3 advantage before Bushnell responded to make it a competitive first set. The Beacons continued to pressure the Warriors and eventually tied the set at 17-17. Corban answered with a kill from senior outside hitter Kendra Bittle and a Bushnell attack error to regain a two-point advantage. The Warriors continued to hold off Bushnell down the stretch, with Bittle and Bischoff recording kills to help Corban maintain its lead. Corban eventually closed out the opening set 25-21 to take an early 1-0 match lead.
The Warriors carried that momentum into the second set, gradually building an advantage after a competitive start. Corban led 15-11 before extending the margin to 17-11 following kills from Bittle and junior middle blocker Gracee Robertson. Bushnell struggled to slow down the Warriors' offense as Corban continued to create separation. Bittle provided a spark from the service line late in the set, recording two consecutive aces to help Corban take a commanding 23-14 lead. After a Bushnell attack error gave the Warriors set point, freshman opposite hitter Greta Van Gemert finished the set with a kill, giving Corban a 25-15 victory and a 2-0 lead.
Bushnell came out fighting in the third set after Corban opened with a 9-2 advantage. The Beacons responded with a 5-0 run and eventually took their first lead of the set at 13-11. Corban regained the advantage at 18-16, but Bushnell continued to battle and tied the set at 19-19 before taking another lead at 20-19.
With the match approaching its conclusion, Corban responded with some of its biggest plays of the night. Bischoff recorded a kill before adding two consecutive service aces, putting the Warriors ahead 22-20. Bushnell answered by tying the set at 22-22, but Corban remained composed in the final moments. Robertson gave Corban a 23-22 lead with her seventh kill of the night, and two consecutive Bushnell attack errors ended the set, and the match, giving the Warriors a 25-22 victory and completing the three-set sweep
Bischoff led the Warriors with 12 kills and 10 digs, recording her seventh straight double-double and adding two service aces and two blocks. Van Gemert finished with eight kills, while Robertson added seven kills while hitting .313. MacAskill directed the Corban offense with 19 assists off the bench, and Howard added 16 assists and 10 digs, providing herself with a double-double as well.
Bittle provided a strong performance with three aces and recorded nine digs, while freshman middle blocker Eliana Klos led the Warriors at the net with three blocks. As a team, Corban finished with 41 kills, six aces, 4 blocks, 40 assists, and 50 digs. The Warriors hit .157 for the match while limiting Bushnell to a .108 hitting percentage.
Bushnell was led by Amyah Semau with 10 kills, followed by Taya Blankenship who had nine. Emma Fa'alogo recorded 15 assists, while Avery McCallister added 14 assists. Carly Hanna led the Beacons defensively with eight digs.
The Warriors will have little time to rest following Wednesday's victory, as Corban returns to action Thursday night against Warner Pacific University (0-11, 0-10). The match will be played at the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center, with first serve scheduled for 6pm. Corban will look to build on their five-match winning streak and continue its conference season against the Knights.
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