LEWISTON, IDAHO – The Knights wrapped up their first road trip, in fact, their first competitions in well over a year on the courts at Lewis-Clark State College on the banks of the Snake River. The Knights battled a tough Corban team on Friday afternoon and finishing the stand in contests versus the home team, LC State Warriors, on Saturday, ultimately falling to both.
 
Restrictions in Oregon due to the pandemic have kept the Knights out of the gym for months. Having only been approved for practice in early February, Knights Head Coach Nels Norquist "was very impressed with how well [the Knights] played with so little prep". "We gave very few easy points" Norquist said. "We made teams earn every kill. Also, it was just really great to be back on the court watching them do what they love" he added.
 
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The Rundown
The first day of the weekend the Knights faced a much taller Corban University, whose height made a challenge for the Warner Pacific offense. To start the day, the Knights showed promise, keeping it within one throughout the first 12 points before the Warriors found their groove. Despite forcing extra points in the second set of match one, the Knights had a hard time finding a defensive answer to the Warriors' hitting percentages for the day. Ultimately falling 0-3 in both matches. Knights freshman 'Alohilani Keola notched eight kills in her first collegiate match. Fellow true freshman Tevlin Britten notched six in hers.
 
 
The second matchup, against the home team, LC State, reflected that of the first; the Knights starting strong and battling throughout and staying in the fight to the last set but unable to overcome the defensive height. Keeping the Warriors on their toes, the Knights kept the sets close with the help of Grace Buchanan's right-hand cannon, leading all players with 19 kills on the day.
 
Deeper Look
Grace Buchanan had at least eight kills in each set, finishing with 39 total
Matalasi Laban ended the weekend with 59 assists, tallying 20 in LCSC Game 2
The Knights' defense was held together by Mercedes Massey's 36 digs
 
Flash Forward
Warner Pacific looks to get more practice time in the gym to iron out some kinks with two weeks of practice before the next set of Cascade Collegiate Conference games in a similar format, this time in Caldwell, Idaho. The tournament will begin Friday, March 6^th.