Box Score
By Ron Smith

Second-ranked Westmont Volleyball opened up a two game lead in the Golden State Athletic Conference by sweeping The Master's (14-6, 6-2 GSAC) on Tuesday night by scores of 25-20, 25-14 and 25-13. With the win, Westmont maintains its undefeated record and improves to 19-0 overall and 8-0 in GSAC play.

The Warriors have now won 27 straight sets and has finished the first rotation of GSAC play without giving up a single set.

"Our game is usually not outside hitter heavy, but it was tonight," said Westmont head coach Patti Cook, "and it was great to see the outside hitters get a bunch of sets and do really well. Because we have been able to spread the offense so much, we have saved their arms, so they are feeling fresh."

At least part of the reason for the change in offensive strategy had to do with middle blocker Libby Dahlberg sustaining an injury in the first set. With the score at 15-12 in favor of the Warriors, Dahlberg went to the ground during the middle of a rally and the official blew the play dead.

Cook and the athletic trainer came onto the floor during the game break eventually helping Dahlberg to her feet. After a few aided steps, Dalberg took a few steps on her own and then stopped, indicating that she wanted to continue playing.

That wasn't going to happen, however, and Dalberg was escorted off the court and Emma Harrah was called upon to take her Place.

"With Libby going down in the first game, it put us in a different offensive position," said Cook, "We had to work through where we were going to put the set and where the blockers were going to be. Libby draws blockers and creates a lot of holes for her pin players.

"Emma had just been cleared to play after recovering from her own injury," explained Cook. "The timing was incredible. It was exciting to see her come in and bring a lot of fire and a lot of enthusiasm. She is super quick. She was doing a good job of blocking and getting a lot of touches. We demonstrated a little bit of our depth tonight."

Harrah finished the night with five kills, a .500 attack percentage and two block assists.

Much to the approval of Warrior fans, Dahlberg returned to the court for the start of the second set but did not stay in for the entire set.

"Libby said that she was feeling good," said Cook about why she chose to reinsert Dahlberg. "I was watching and I didn't see her springing quite as nimbly as she usually does. So, that was throwing the setters off a little bit as far as the timing because she wasn't jumping quite as high. I saw that the vibe on the court was more cautious and worried, so I made the call to bring Emma back in. Emma did a great job and because we knew what we were going to get from her, we were able to get more into a rhythm."

Like their previous match against Hope International on Saturday night, the Warriors were consistent throughout the match and gradually pulled away from The Master's in each set.

Key to helping them do so was the defensive efforts of libero Kami Troesh and defensive specialist Courtney Crosby. Both thrilled the crowd with astonishing digs in the back row to keep rallies alive.

"It's really fun to cheer for good digs and Kami and Courtney really gave us a lot to cheer about tonight flying all over the floor," said Cook.

With the change in the middle, Westmont relied on outside hitters Jessica McCann and Taylor Beckman who led the Warriors in kills with 10 and nine respectively. McCann recorded a .348 attack percentage. From the right pin, Cassidy Rea (7 kills, .353 attack percentage) and Sam Neely (4 kills, .273 attack percentage) provided the firepower.

"Cassidy is a very smart hitter with a lot of range," assessed Cook. "She can hit angel well and can hit line well. Sam also hit well and is continuing to develop her offense and her range."

Westmont will take a break from GSAC action this weekend and take their show on the road – specifically to Iowa where they will compete against four teams from the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC).

"We are going to test ourselves with a long trip," noted Cook. "It is a really good opportunity to practice traveling for nationals. We have our eyes set first and foremost on a GSAC Championship, but shortly following that, we look to be going to the (NAIA Tournament) Final Site in Iowa. We want to practice how we travel, how we play in places we are not as familiar with and against teams we are not as familiar with and have a shorter time to scout and watch. I think it will be really good training for us."

On Friday, the Warriors will play in Sioux Center taking on Saint Mary of Nebraska (6-8, 2-6 GPAC) and their first day host, #11 Dordt (11-4, 4-2). Then on Saturday, Westmont will travel to Orange City for games against Concordia of Nebraska (11-10, 3-4) and their Saturday host Northwestern (12-12, 4-3).

Westmont returns to Murchison Gymnasium on Friday and Saturday, October 14 and 15 with GSAC conference matches against William Jessup (8-9, 1-5) and Menlo (9-11, 1-5).