(LA MIRADA, Calif.) Tonight's five game volleyball match in La Mirada, Calif. seemingly had "upset" written all over it as the unranked Westmont Warriors took on #5 Biola University. The Eagles came out strong and then quickly self-destructed throughout the sets, giving the Warriors an opportunity to capitalize on their opponents errors. Unfortunately for Westmont, Biola was able to rally back in the end and win the match 3-2 (25-13, 16-25, 23-25, 25-20, 15-8).
The outstanding Eagles lineup came out firing on all cylinders as the match began, tallying 18 kills to the Warriors' eight. Their junior outside hitter Joclyn Kirton was a powerhouse on the pin who raked in seven of her 15 kills in the first set of the match.
Westmont simply did not have an answer to their offense and it looked like it was going to be a quick match.
That was until the Warriors kicked it into overdrive in the second set, where they went on a 10-0 run that left the Eagles shell shocked and unable to gain their composure, even after using their two timeouts. The run was made up of three aces from Madison Serrano, two kills by Westmont and five errors from Biola. This streak breathed life back into the Warrior women, giving them the energy and drive that they needed to close out the second set 25-16.
Westmont's final win of the night came in game three where they snuck away with a 25-23 victory. While they were running a well distributed offense, many of their points came from their stellar defense. Westmont's defenders were not about to let the Eagles put the ball on the ground without a fight. Tonight Westmont not only tallied 59 digs, but six blocks, many of which came in the third. The scrappy play wore out the Biola team who started to make error after error on the court, giving Westmont the advantage and a 25-23 third set victory.
While Biola's intensity was lacking in sets two and three, they came back in full force to close out games four and five. They put on a show on their home court in the final plays of the match, capping off their rough night with a 25-20 and 15-8 win to solidify a victory.
The Warriors were led by Sarah McGough who had a team high of eleven kills, while Colburn, Beckman and Striff tallied nine kills apiece. Libero Kami Troesh weathered the storm in the back row, tallying 16 digs, while outside hitter Madison Serrano contributed nine.
The Warriors fall to 11-10 overall and 4-4 in GSAC play. Up next they take on #18 Vanguard University in Murchison Gymnasium this Saturday October 11 at 7PM.
