Knight Comeback Falls Short at Corban
October 24, 2009SALEM, Ore. - The Knight volleyball team came back from a 0-2 deficit to tie Corban at 2 sets each, but dropped the deciding set to fall 3-2 in Salem yesterday.
In the opening set, Corban would build a nine-point lead (18-9) following a kill by freshman Jenny Harman. Warner Pacific would attempt to battle back getting within seven points (20-13) before the host Warriors would push its lead to as much as 10 points (23-13) thanks to a combo block by junior Teri Braun and freshman Karisa Calderon. Corban would close out the opening set via a kill by Baskoro for the 25-15 victory.
Set #2 would start out well for the Warriors, as Corban built an early 5-0 lead behind the serving of Harman. Warner Pacific would use a 12-4 run en route to securing its largest lead of the frame (12-9) via a Sam Kolakowski kill. Corban would then use a 14-6 run of its own to grab a five-point lead (23-18) following another Baskoro kill. After a Warner Pacific time out, the host Warriors would get a kill by Harman before the visiting Knights fended out four straight set points to pull within three points (24-21). Corban would close out the second set via a Braun kill for the 25-21 victory and the early two-set lead heading into the break.
The third set was a completely different story for both teams, as the two conference counterparts battled over the opening 30 combined points with Warner Pacific's Whitney Valenta evening the score at 15-15 via a service ace. The two teams would continue the dog fight, as neither squad secured more than a four-point lead with Warner Pacific grabbing a 22-18 advantage via an Emily Damschen kill. Corban would battle back to even the set at 23-all via a 5-1 run that was capped by a Knight attack error. Unfortunately for Corban, Warner Pacific would score the final two points with Michelle Egan closing out Set #3 with a kill for the 25-23 victory.
Set #4 was a see-saw battle over the opening 34 combined points, as freshman Morgan Hirzel registered a kill to tie the score at 17-17. Warner Pacific would grab its largest lead of the set (24-20) following a Warrior hitting error. Corban would hold off one set point before Warner Pacific evened the match at two-sets each via a Megan Marineau kill for the 25-21 victory.
In the fifth and deciding set, Corban would jump out to an early three-point lead (5-2) before Warner Pacific used a 6-3 run that knotted Set #5 at 8-8 after a Damschen kill. The host Warriors would then use a 3-1 run to pull ahead by a mere point (11-9) following a service ace by junior Rebecca Franke. A combo block by Warner Pacific's Marineau and Damschen would be the final point for the visiting Knights, as Corban closed out the match on a 5-0 run with Hirzel collecting the final kill of the night for the 15-10 victory.
Along with Baskoro's double-double performance, Hirzel lead Corban's offensive attack with a match-high 18 kills. Harman, sophomore Tiffany Land and Braun added 8, 7, and 5 kills respectively, while sophomore Megan Dees handed out a match and season-high 32 assists. Franke would aided Baskoro's defensive performance with 19 digs, while Land led the Warriors' net attack with a match-high seven blocks (1 solo, 6 assist).
Warner Pacific was led by Damschen and North Salem graduate Leah Gradwohl, who registered 13 kills each. Melita Elliot handed out a team-high 21 assists for the Knights, while Gradwohl anchored Warner Pacific's back row with a team-leading 20 digs.
~Story Courtesy of Corban Sports Information~
