Warriors put backs against the wall thanks to loss to Concordia-Portland

October 21, 2005

BOX SCORE

PORTLAND, Ore. – Knowing that a loss at this juncture could possibly end their chances of making the Cascade Collegiate Conference playoffs for the first time in eight years, Corban’s women’s volleyball team put their backs against the wall thanks to a 3-0 (20-30, 28-30, 16-30) loss to the Cavaliers of Concordia-Portland on Friday night.

Coming into the match, sixteen-year head coach Tracy Smith knew that if the Warriors could defeat Concordia, Oregon Tech, and Evergreen then Corban would possibly finish in the sixth and final playoff spot by one game.  After tonight’s results, Corban must rely on the cooperation from others for that scenario to play out.

Despite the sweep, junior and NAIA Libero of the Week Becky Horn (Troutdale, Ore.) recorded a match-high 13 digs, which moved her into 4th place on the all-time single season digs chart at 421 and is 113 digs away from the all-time single season record set last season by Jamie Ruda.  Horn (pictured right) would have to average 28.25 digs per match over the final four matches to tie Ruda and 28.50 to break the record.

Junior Nina Clanton (Hillsboro, Ore.) and senior Katie Lewin (Keizer, Ore.) recorded 9 and 7 kills respectively.  Clanton fell one kill shy of recording her 5th double-double of the season thanks to 12 digs over the three games.  Senior setter Ashley Walbridge (Troutdale, Ore.) guided the Warriors’ offense with a team-high 31 assists.

Concordia was led by Krista Ekeberg’s match-high 19 kills, while Brady Wallenborn and two other Cavaliers added 12 and 7 kills respectively.  Andrea Ruen led Concordia’s offense with a match-high 45 assists, while Erin Blythe anchored the Cavaliers’ back line with a match-high 13 digs.

With the loss, Corban falls to 6-12 overall, 6-8 in Cascade Collegiate play.  Concordia improves to 12-10 overall, 8-6 in Cascade Collegiate play.  The Warriors are next in action on Friday, October 28th, when they host the Hustlin’ Owls of Oregon Tech beginning at 7:00 p.m. inside the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center