LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon University on Saturday, Nov. 11, at Quinn Coliseum in La Grande earned the 2023 Cascade Collegiate Conference Volleyball Tournament Championship.

After being crowned the top two seeds of the CCC Tournament, presented by U.S. Bank, Eastern Oregon (30-1, 21-1 CCC) and Corban University (26-6, 19-3 CCC) faced off in the final match of the tournament for the fourth straight year.

The Mounties defeated the Warriors for the third time this season. The match ended in a 3-1 (25- 17, 25-21, 18-25, 25-20) battle as the No. 3-ranked EOU and No.7-ranked CRB grinded for the CCC trophy. Both teams only had to win once to make it to the newly established eight seed conference tournament.

This year, Corban was the preseason favorite but fell to Eastern Oregon U for the regular season title, according to a CCC press release. After defeating the third seed and No. 12-Ranked Southern Oregon University in the semifinals, the Warriors were prepared to take on the defending champions.

Rylee Troutman, CCC Rize laboratory Player of the Year Rylee Troutman, led Corban, securing 15 kills, three digs and two blocks in her final conference championship.

The only thing in Corba’s way was the defending champions of Eastern Oregon University, which continued into the tournament on a tight five set match with College of Idaho in the semifinals.

Despite the Warrior’s best efforts, Eastern Oregon impressed offensively, with standout performances from Ashton Haughton and Keira Vaughn, contributing 16 and 15 kills, respectively, according to the press release. Hannah Ledgerwood also showed out for the Mounties with 33 total assists, while libero Hailey Arritola provided crucial defensive support with 17 digs. EOU was led in blocking by Mylie Mills and Kiauna Mack, combining for half of the teams 18 blocks. This marked the team’s 19th consecutive win.

“The Cascade Conference is one of the toughest and this tournament is an example of that,” EOU head coach Kaki McLean Morehead said in the release. “It helps prepare us in the best way for the post season. I’m excited to see what this team can do in the next few weeks.”

Morehead on Nov. 9 received an honor as well, with the CCC naming her it’s volleyball coach of the year.

Under Morehead’s guidance, the Mounties clinched their second consecutive CCC regular-season championship, securing an automatic bid to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Tournament this season. Four Mounties also won spots on the all-conference roster.