NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. – The No. 5-ranked Corban University Women's Volleyball team closed out an impressive weekend at the Siouxland Volleyball Invitational on Saturday by knocking off two more nationally-ranked opponents. The Warriors opened the day with a comeback four-set victory over No. 3 Concordia University (Neb.) before finishing the tournament with a four-set triumph over No. 25 Viterbo University, pushing their record to 4-1 through the season's opening five matches. The pair of victories gives Corban four ranked wins in its first week of competition and further solidifies the Warriors as one of the NAIA's premier contenders despite their season-opening setback that appears to have been a one-night lapse.
"I'm extremely proud of this team!" exclaimed head coach Kim McLain shortly after their fifth match in three days. "We showed incredible fight and resilience competing against four of the top-ranked teams in the nation. We know this journey is long, and every challenge is an opportunity for us to grow. Our focus is to keep getting better each day, continue coming together as one, and embrace what's ahead. We're excited for the road ahead!"
Match 1: No. 5 Corban 3, No. 3 Concordia (Neb.) 1
Set Scores: 20-25, 25-20, 25-21, 28-26
Facing the highest-ranked opponent on their schedule to date, the Warriors recovered from a slow start and progressively wore down the Bulldogs with relentless pressure at the net and timely offensive execution.
Concordia (3-1) grabbed control early in the opening set, building a 9-3 advantage and maintaining separation despite several Warrior rallies. Corban pieced together an 11-5 run midway through the frame to pull even at 14-14, fueled by strong serving and multiple blocks from junior opposite hitter Lauryn Copeland and junior middle blocker Gracee Robertson. However, the Bulldogs regained momentum late and secured the opener, 25-20.
The Warriors responded emphatically in the second set. After the teams battled through the opening points, Corban found another gear offensively, receiving key swings from freshman opposite hitter Greta Van Gemert, and senior outside hitters Emma Bischoff and Kendra Bittle. A late 6-2 push helped create separation as the Navy and Gold evened the match with a 25-20 victory of their own.
Set three proved to be a defensive showcase for the Warriors, as Corban raced ahead 16-8 behind an extended service run from senior setter Nadeiah Howard and a dominant blocking presence that consistently disrupted Concordia's attack. The Bulldogs mounted a late charge, trimming the deficit to three points, but Corban maintained its composure and captured a 25-21 decision to move within one set of the upset.
The fourth set delivered one of the tournament's most entertaining battles, with neither side leading by more than four points at a time throughout the frame, and the set featured multiple ties beyond the 20-point mark. Trailing 24-23, the Warriors answered with clutch kills from Bittle, Copeland, Bischoff, and Van Gemert on every other rally. After surviving two separate set-point opportunities, Corban finished off the comeback with consecutive points for a 28-26 match-clinching victory.
Bittle led a balanced Warrior attack with 12 kills while posting a stellar .400 attacking percentage in the Central Point native's best individual game result of 2026. Bischoff added 11 kills and 15 digs for yet another double-double performance against a high-profile opponent, while Van Gemert chipped in 10 kills and Copeland added eight.
Corban's two-setter system once again excelled, with Kawena Crowell dishing out 20 assists and Nadeiah Howard contributing 18 assists and two service aces, with Crowell's 13 digs resulting in her first double-double as a Warrior. Junior libero Dani Street anchored the back row with 14 digs, while the Corban front line dominated the match with 14.0 total blocks, including nine block assists and a solo stuff from Gracee Robertson and six more block assists from Copeland.
Notable Statistics
- Corban out-blocked Concordia 14-7, including 26 block assists.
- The Warriors held the Bulldogs to a .075 team attacking percentage while attacking at a .208 clip themselves.
- Four Corban attackers recorded at least eight kills.
- The victory came against the tournament's highest-ranked opponent and marked Corban's third win over a Top 25 foe in less than 24 hours.
Match 2: No. 5 Corban 3, No. 25 Viterbo 1
Set Scores: 25-20, 27-25, 22-25, 25-21
After the emotional win over Concordia, Corban showed no signs of a letdown, fending off a determined Viterbo squad to complete a perfect Saturday doubleheader.
The Warriors established the tone early in set one, jumping out to a 10-3 lead behind strong serving and efficient offense from Bischoff, Van Gemert, and redshirt sophomore middle blocker Jenna Konzelman. Viterbo trimmed the deficit late, but Corban remained in control throughout a 25-20 opening-set victory.
The second frame became a battle of momentum swings, with Corban building a 12-6 advantage before the V-Hawks clawed their way back into contention and eventually seized a 22-20 lead. Rather than folding, the Warriors answered with clutch points from Bischoff and Copeland. After surviving multiple late rallies, Corban secured a crucial 27-25 win and grabbed a commanding two-set advantage.
Viterbo refused to go quietly in the third set, using a 6-0 stretch midway through the frame to gain separation. The Navy and Gold erased much of the deficit and eventually tied the set at 23-all before the V-Hawks scored the final two points to extend the match with a 25-23 win.
The Warriors answered in championship fashion during the fourth set. Corban led for much of the stanza before Viterbo rallied from an 18-15 deficit to briefly tie the score at 19-19. The Warriors immediately responded by claiming six of the final eight points, highlighted by late kills from Copeland and Robertson alongside multiple blocks at the net, sealing a 25-21 victory and the weekend sweep.
Bischoff saved another top offensive performance for her tournament finale, hammering a match-high 17 kills while adding five service aces. Copeland and Van Gemert supplied 10 kills apiece, with Copeland attacking at a .438 clip.
Howard and Crowell continued to efficiently direct the offense, combining for 43 assists, while Street collected 16 digs. Corban's blocking unit again played a major role, registering 13 total blocks led by Konzelman's five block assists.
Notable Statistics
- Bischoff recorded a match-high 17 kills and five service aces.
- Corban posted a .248 team attacking percentage while limiting Viterbo to .212.
- The Warriors totaled 58 digs and 13.0 team blocks.
- Copeland hit .438 with 10 kills and added a solo block.
With four ranked victories secured during the season's opening weekend, Corban leaves Siouxland with significant momentum and a 4-1 overall record. The Warriors return to Salem for a busy stretch of non-conference competition, beginning August 27th on day one of the 2026 Hampton Inn Classic with matchups scheduled against Pacific Union College at 1pm and Simpson University at 6pm. Corban's home-opening tournament action then continues on August 28th against Columbia International University (S.C.) and Taylor University (Ind.).
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