CALDWELL, Idaho – For the second time this season, No. 8 The College of Idaho proved it can handle one of the Cascade Collegiate Conference's toughest tests by defeating No. 5 Corban University in 5 sets.
 
After dropping the first two sets, the Yotes stormed back with relentless determination, winning the final three frames to defeat No. 5 Corban University, 20-25, 14-25, 25-19, 25-18, 19-17, Saturday afternoon inside Elgin Baylor Arena. The victory improved The College of Idaho to 20-1 overall and 13-1 in CCC play while extending the conference's longest active winning streak. The Yotes also completed the season sweep of the Warriors and remain firmly in control of their own destiny in the race for the CCC regular-season championship.
 
Corban seized momentum early, capturing the opening two sets and putting the Yotes on the brink. But a veteran College of Idaho squad refused to fold. The Yotes gradually found their rhythm offensively, hitting .200 in the third set, .261 in the fourth, and an impressive .308 in the decisive fifth-set push to force the match all the way to the wire.
 
In the fifth set, neither team led by more than a few points as the nation's eighth-ranked team traded blows with the fifth-ranked Warriors. Corban erased multiple deficits and eventually fought its way to match point at 16-15. The Yotes answered immediately.
 
Addison McKarcher delivered a pivotal kill to tie the frame before Cierra Bohrn put The College of Idaho in front. With the crowd on its feet, Bohrn hammered home another kill before she and McKarcher teamed up for a match-ending block of Greta Van Gemert, completing one of the Yotes' most dramatic victories of the season.
 
Jessica Stires led the offensive attack with 19 kills while hitting .275, adding several clutch swings late in the fifth set.
 
Abigail Flerchinger added 13 kills and five block assists, while Kelsy Stanger and Cierra Bohrn each contributed 11 kills. Bohrn also played a major role defensively with four block assists and several key points during the fifth-set stretch run.
 
Setter Shaynee McWilliams orchestrated the comeback with 54 assists and 16 digs, while libero Avery Lewis anchored the back row with a match-high 25 digs. Kadence Boyd chipped in two service aces and 10 digs as part of a balanced defensive effort that produced 88 team digs.
 
Corban was led by Greta Van Gemert, who finished with a match-high 19 kills and 20 points. Emma Bischoff added 10 kills, seven block assists, four service aces and 15 digs, while Lauryn Copeland contributed 10 kills on a .391 attacking percentage. Dani Street added a match-high 26 digs for the Warriors.
 
The Yotes finished with 68 kills compared to Corban's 50 and overcame a slow start by holding the Warriors to a .143 hitting percentage for the match.
 
The College of Idaho returns to action on Oct. 23 when it travels to Ashland, Ore., for a top-25 showdown against No. 22 Southern Oregon. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT.