Box Score

By Bradford Sargent
November 30, 2016
 
Westmont's (32-1) unbeaten streak came to an end Wednesday afternoon as the Cougars of Columbia College (MO) defeated Westmont in five sets (27-25, 25-21, 21-25, 17-25, 15-9).  The win moves the Cougars to 28-11 on the season. 
 
Columbia has made it to the national tournament 22 years in a row.  Last year, they became NAIA National Champions for the fourth time.  The Cougars drew from their experience in high-stakes matches to rattle the Warriors, particularly in the fifth set.  Commenting on the final frame, Head Coach Patti Cook observed, "We got in our own head.  We let them put the pressure on us."  One player applying that pressure was 6' 3'' junior Peiyi Liu, who had two blocks in the fifth set.  Peiyi Liu finished the afternoon with an impressive 16 kills. 
 
Coach Cook was pleased with her team's never-say-die attitude.  Reflecting on the match, Cook stated, "Our performance was better than yesterday's.  We played at a very high level."  Cassidy Rea was excellent for the Warriors.  She earned 14 kills overall, including two kills in the fourth set.  Coach Cook gave kudos to Rea after the game, stating, "To be a freshman in that kind of environment and to hit a .444 is incredible.  Her future is very bright." McCann, Dahlberg, and Beckman were a force for the Warriors on offense.  Each of these GSAC All-Stars reached double digits in the kills column.   
 
The Warriors face a must-win match tomorrow against the Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan University (35-3).  Indiana Wesleyan prevailed in straight sets today against Indiana University Kokomo.  Both teams enter match day three needing a win to advance to the Round of 16. 
 
Contemplating the end of her team's unbeaten run, Cook stated, "I never really held on tightly to that streak.  That's not what we're about.  That's not what we're going after."  The Warriors must go undefeated in the tournament's remaining games.  With 32 wins on the season, and a close loss in the playoffs, Westmont has proven its capacity to achieve that goal.  Check out www.naia.org for tournament updates.