FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 3
rd, 2026
Portland, Ore.| The Warner Pacific University women's volleyball team faced a difficult test Saturday evening, welcoming No. 1-ranked Eastern Oregon University to Portland for a conference matchup. The Knights battled throughout the evening, but the top-ranked Mountaineers came away with a straight-set victory, 25-8, 25-15, 25-11.
Eastern Oregon set the tone early in the opening frame, hitting .522 as a team to create separation and take the set, 25-8.
Warner Pacific responded with a much stronger offensive performance in the second set. The Knights found a better rhythm on the attack, recording nine kills while hitting .219 as a team. Eastern Oregon, however, countered with 17 kills of its own to take the second frame, 25-15, and build a 2-0 advantage in the match.
The Mountaineers maintained their offensive pressure in the third set, using a balanced attack and strong serving to pull away and secure the frame, 25-11, closing out the match in straight sets.
Tayah-Anne Toa once again led the Warner Pacific attack, finishing with a team-high six kills while adding four digs.
Mia Carman provided an all-around effort with four kills, seven digs and a service ace.
Daisci Burrows contributed two kills, six assists and four digs, while
Amor Rapoza helped direct the Knights' offense with a team-high nine assists. Rapoza also added seven digs, two kills and a service ace.
Defensively,
Maya Moreno recorded five digs, while
Josie Schultz contributed three kills, three digs and a service ace.
Eastern Oregon was led by Keira Vaughn, who finished with a match-high eight kills without an attacking error while hitting .727. Olivia Chilton added seven kills on a .600 hitting percentage, while Ava Swan and Brooke Womack each recorded five kills. Ava Semprimoznik and Kate Stidham split setting duties with 12 and 11 assists, respectively, while Jaycee Villastrigo led the Mountaineers defensively with 12 digs.
As a team, Warner Pacific finished the match with 19 kills, 17 assists, three service aces and 30 digs. Eastern Oregon demonstrated why it entered the match as the nation's top-ranked team, hitting .500 with 45 kills, 39 assists, 13 service aces and 44 digs. Following the match, Warner Pacific head coach Nerisa Laban praised the Knights' attitude and effort against the nation's top-ranked team. "We had good energy in the face of defeat against the number one team in the country," Laban said.
Next Up
The Knights will face another nationally ranked opponent when they travel to take on No. 6 Corban University on Thursday. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center.
