Box Score

By Ron Smith

Westmont Volleyball, ranked third in the NAIA, extended its winning streak to 15 games on Saturday afternoon in Murchison Gymnasium. The Warriors (15-0, 4-0 GSAC) continued their record setting start, which began on August 18, by defeating the Hawks of San Diego Christian (6-8, 0-4 GSAC) in straight sets (25-16, 25-22, 25-14).

With a 10-9 lead in the opening frame, Taylor Beckman delivered a kill of a set from Amy Buffham that sparked a 6-1 Warrior run. The Hawks scored the next four points to pull within two (16-14), but the Warriors ended the threat by scoring the next six including two kills by Cassidy Rea and one each from Jessica McCann and Libby Dahlberg.

A bid by the Hawks to tie the match at one set each produced a thrilling second set. With the scored tied at 21, Sam Neely connected to put the Warriors ahead by one. Neely and Mila Maricic made it 23-21 when they blocked an attack by the Hawk's Alyssa Eicher.

After a Hawks' timeout, Eicher made good on an attack at the net, reducing the Warriors' margin to one point (23-22). Westmont responded with back-to-back kills by Maricic and Beckman, giving the Warriors a two-set-to-none lead.

The third set was a story of the Warriors steadily pressing their advantage by taking two or three steps forward for every one back. Westmont took a 2-0 lead and never trailed. The Warrior middle blockers dominated the set with Maricic tallying four kills and Dahlberg three.

Westmont continues Golden State Athletic Conference play next week with a pair of matches. On Tuesday, the Warriors travel to Costa Mesa to take on Vanguard. The Lions started the season 1-9 but are 4-1 since then. Vanguard holds a 2-0 conference mark with wins against San Diego Christian and Arizona Christian.

On Saturday, Westmont will host #15 Biola who is 13-5 overall and 4-0 in GSAC play. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.