Corban comes up just short of National Volleyball Title
Fourth-seeded Warriors lose NAIA championship to #2 Jamestown
Corban University’s Cinderella Volleyball season came up just shy of happily-ever-after, but the squad still had a tournament and season to remember, losing Tuesday night in the NAIA National Championship game to second-ranked Jamestown (North Dakota) in five sets, 25-21, 21-25, 25-27, 25-22, 15-13. It was the first-ever NAIA title appearance for both teams. The contest was held at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
Second-rated Jamestown lost only two matches the entire 2022 season, and had advanced to the semifinals of the national tournament the last three years. This was Corban’s first-ever trip to the championships.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair between the two teams early, before Jamestown went on a 7-1 run, powering their way to a 25-21 victory.
The Warriors responded in the second set, creating separation with a 5-1 run. Jamestown stayed close with a 7-2 rally of their own. But Corban took advantage of late errors by the Jimmies, and off a kill by Rylee Troutman, took set two, 25-21.
In set three, the two teams battled to a stalemate at 25 all, but Corban had the answers late, with a kill from Makayla Roginski and an ace from Kealani Ontai to win, 27-2—and take a two-sets-to-one advantage.
With their backs against the wall, the favored Jimmies gained control of set four midway through after being tied at 13. Jamestown closed it out with a kill by Anna Holen and two double blocks to send the match to a fifth and deciding set.
Six scoring ties opened the abbreviated, 15-point final set. Jamestown then mounted a 5-1 scoring run, but Corban closed the gap to 14-13. A double block by Kalli Hegerle and Darienne Johnson sealed the win for the Jimmies.
Jamestown’s Anna Holen, and Corban’s Rylee Troutman were the top performers in the championship match. Holen had 23 kills and 35 digs. Troutman also had a double-double for the Warriors with 21 kills and 35 digs. 2022 marked the third consecutive year that the NAIA championship match went five sets.
Congratulations to the Warriors on a historic volleyball season and a second place finish at the national tournament.