RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The final day of the trip out west was highlighted by a pair of wins over Hope International (3-2) and La Sierra (3-1.) The Golden Eagles finish the 12-day stint in California with a 7-1 record as they will be in action after Labor Day when they open conference play at home against Rochester.
 
Match 1 – Cornerstone 3, Hope International 2 (25-18, 25-22, 20-25, 25-27, 15-6)
 
In the first match of the day, Cornerstone took on an up and coming Hope International team as the Royals have already defeated two Top-25 teams. CU raced out to a big win in the opener followed by a 25-22 win in the second only to see HIU fight back to force a 5^th.
 
CU took command early in the deciding set to post the 15-6 win. Ellie Van Laar had a career-high 23 kills in the win while fellow middle Kendra Zwart had 21 terminations. Hope Leppink dished out a season-high 64 assists while Mackenzie Vallad had 28 digs.
 
 
Match 2 – #16 Cornerstone 3, La Sierra 1 (25-12, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21)
 
The last match of the tourney saw a pair of teams with the mascot of the Golden Eagles and it was the visitors from Michigan who posted the 4-set win. Cornerstone jumped all over the home team to take a commanding 2-0 lead with 25-12 and 25-18 wins. CU struggled late in the third to fall 25-23 but rebounded with a 25-21 win to take the victory.
 
Four different players finished in double-digit kills while Mackenzie Vallad (14), Heather Carlson (12) and Hope Leppink (10) led the defensive charge.
 
 
 
Up Next?
Cornerstone heads back home with a 7-1 mark over the 13-day stay on the west coast. The Golden Eagles will host Rochester on September 6 in their home and WHAC opener.
 
 
 
Volleyball Contact: Aaron Sagraves
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