By Ron Smith
December 7, 2019
 
(SIOUX CITY, Iowa) Westmont Volleyball (31-7) has advanced to the NAIA Championship Match tonight and will take on #11 Marian of Indiana (37-2). The Warriors earned a spot in the title game by sweeping #6 Viterbo of Wisconsin (35-7) in straight sets (25-9, 25-22, 25-20).
 
This marks the first time Westmont Volleyball has played in a national championship match.
 
Westmont came out firing on all cylinders against Viterbo, producing 12 kills on 27 attempts without committing an attack error. The Warriors went on to notch a team attack percentage of .297 for the three sets while limiting the V-Hawks to just .055.
 
The Warriors shutdown the net, tallying 11 blocks over the three sets.
 
As has been the case throughout the NAIA Tournament, Westmont utilized a balanced offensive attack. Outside hitter Hali Galloway, right side hitter Cassidy Rea and middle blocker Lexi Malone each posted eight kills to lead the Warriors. Outside hitter Brooklynn Cheney and right side hitter Patty Kerman added seven kills apiece.
 
Malone lead the Warriors in attack percentage at .467, Kerman recorded a .412 and Rea notched a .348. While those numbers would be remarkable in any match, they are outstanding in a National Championship semifinal.
 
Westmont and Marian have faced each other once before. Two years ago, they matched up in pool play in the 2017 National Championship with Westmont prevailing 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-19). Rea, Galloway, Cheney and libero Lauren Friis were all on the court for that match-up.
 
Tonight's championship match is available for viewing on ESPN3 and can be accessed at https://www.naia.org/links/41yagr.