Mountaineers' Sade Williams goes up at the net during the home match against Warner Pacific University on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Eastern Oregon University swept the Knights 3-0.

SALEM– The No. 4 Eastern Oregon Mountaineers came away with a statement victory on Friday, Sept. 29.

The Mountaineers defeated No. 5 Corban on the road in straight sets, improving to 16-1 on the year and 9-1 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.

Eastern Oregon found itself in an uphill battle early in the first set, trailing for almost the entirety of the period. Corban never led by more than five points, but the Warriors held a consistent lead for most of the frame. Eastern Oregon inched back into the set and took its first lead of the frame at 22-21 off an attack error. The Mountaineers held on to their late lead and won the set 26-24 off a kill from Kiauna Mack, assisted by Hannah Ledgerwood.

The second set was Eastern Oregon’s largest win of the match. After a neck-and-neck start, the Mountaineers built an early 9-5 lead off a 4-0 run. Eastern Oregon extended its lead to 21-13 and managed to lead by upwards of nine points in the set. A kill by Keira Vaughn, off an assist from Ledgerwood, allowed Eastern Oregon to take the set 25-18.

Corban fought to stay in the match in the third set, but Eastern Oregon capitalized off six out of seven points midway through the set and built up a 17-10 lead. The Mountaineers held on to win 25-19, with the final point of the match coming by way of an attack error off the serve of Courtney Garwood.

Vaughn led all players with 12 kills, while Ashton Haughton tallied nine. Mack led Eastern Oregon with five blocks and Ledgerwood tallied a match-high 22 assists.

Up next, Eastern Oregon will travel to Eugene to face Bushnell at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 30.