Salem, OR - The Northwest volleyball team fell to Corban, 3-2, on Saturday.
It was a game that featured a resolved Warriors team roaring back with a reverse sweep to put the Eagles in a precarious playoff predicament.
The Warriors started the first set with the 7-3 lead, thanks to server Marissa Uehara, but the Eagles kept it close at the hands of Ellie Van Berkum. The Eagles would not find the lead until Reece Denney set up the Warriors with an attacking error to go up 18-17 and tacked on four more to give the Eagles the lead, 22-17. The Warriors would try to come back, going six for eight, but the Eagles finished the set off with a kill by Delaney Sparks to win, 25-23.
The second set once again started strong for the Warriors, but the Eagles quickly fought back, going five unanswered to lead, 6-4. The Warriors struggled to keep up with the Eagles' defense led by Kaitlyn Mickle and serves by Savannah Hale with two aces in a row. The Eagles then took the set, 25-19, with spirits high.
The beginning of the third set would go to the Eagles, taking the lead, 3-0, thanks to Allie Flynn. Abby Guindy of the Warriors would later serve a four-point stretch to tie the set, 11 all. It would be a back-and-forth affair towards the end, but the Warriors with their backs to the wall and help from Makayla Roginski, found a way to take the set, 25-22.
The fourth set was won early once again by the Eagles, going up 3-1, but the Warriors fought to stay in the set with a four-point streak that the Eagles struggled to catch up to. The Eagles would find their way to tie the set at 17, then the Warriors would go five unbeaten with serves from Guindy to give the Warriors the set, 25-20, and a tie ball game.
The final set was back-and-forth to the bitter end, with each team trading two-point streaks. Morgan Harter tried to play hero with 11 assists in the set, but the resolve of the Warriors would be too great going into overtime as they took the set, 19-17, and the comeback win.
The Eagles now need to win outright and for Walla Walla to lose outright in order to make the playoffs.
"Tonight's match was fun to be a part of but also disappointing as we were not able to capitalize on our opportunities in the fifth set," said Head Coach Steven Bain. "Credit Corban's resolve to come back from two sets down and to make big plays when the match was on the line. Still, I'm very proud of our ladies for having the mental resilience to play at a high level on the road after a tough loss. That resilience is something we have been searching for all season, and it bodes well for the future as we prepare for our final two matches."
