The NAIA No. 17 Westmont volleyball team avoided a midweek, nonconference letdown against Westcliff on Tuesday, sweeping the battle of Warriors 3-0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-23).
“One of my goals was to keep them under 15 points and to not call a timeout,” said Westmont head coach Ruth McGolpin. “At least in two out of the three sets we did.
Facing a five-point third set deficit, McGolpin summoned Cassidy Rea from the bench. The senior opposite had yet to play in the match up to this point. Yet after a Lexi Malone kill, Rea immediately sparked a comeback, recording back-to-back kills to bring her team within two, 18-16.
“From my standpoint, I don’t necessarily know it was her production, but rather the comfortability she brings,” said McGolpin of the impact Rea had late in the third set. “She adds a little more comfortability to it. I do think Audrey Brown played fantastic. When she came off I told her, ‘By no means is this your fault why you’re being subbed out.’”
After a Westcliff timeout, Hali Galloway recorded back-to-back kills of her own to tie the set at 18 apiece. Another Malone kill and a Westcliff attacking error gave Westmont a 20-18 third set advantage.
While facing match point down, Westcliff (6-7 overall) scored consecutive points to fight back to within one. But the home team sealed the game and the match with a Patty Kerman kill.
Hali Galloway once again led the Warriors’ attack, this time posting 12 kills with a .478 attack percentage. The junior outside hitter was named GSAC Attacker of the Week yesterday after her 11 kills and .455 attack percentage paced the Warriors against The Master’s on Saturday.
Kerman, a junior opposite, led the team with five block assists, followed closely behind by freshmen middles Malone and Kendall Kenyon, who both had four. Junior outside hitter Brooklynn Cheney paced the Warriors’ defense with 15 digs, followed by Friis’ 13.
It was Westmont’s second consecutive sweep and fifth of the year. The Warriors have now won 32 of their last 33 home matches dating back to the start of the 2016 season.
With the win, Westmont (13-2 overall, 3-0 GSAC) extended its winning streak to six. The Warriors will look to add to that streak this weekend at home against Life Pacific on Friday and Hope International on Saturday.