By Tim Heiduk
January 22, 2021
 
(SAN MARCOS, Calif.) Over 13 months removed from its furthest postseason run in program history, Westmont women's volleyball finally began its postponed 2020 campaign on Friday at the University of Saint Katherine Tournament. The Warriors defeated the tournament hosts 3-1 (25-17, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14) before sweeping Providence Christian (25-16, 25-12, 25-21).
 
"Overall, I'm super pleased with how match one went," Westmont head coach Ruth McGolpin said. "Our defensive effort got better as the match progressed. We started to get a few more blocks and our digging got stronger as the match went on."
 
The Warriors got off to a fast start in set one, jumping out to a quick 5-1 lead on the backs of strong serving from both Sydny Dunn and Hali Galloway, who each recorded a service ace in the early going. Westmont didn't allow Saint Katherine to get closer than within two points the rest of the set, claiming the first stanza by eight points.
 
The second set began in similar fashion, with the Warriors taking an early 4-0 advantage. The Firebirds rallied back though to take a one-point lead. With the set tied at 12 apiece, a 6-0 Westmont run put the Warriors in firm control. Saint Katherine got back to within two at 21-19, but Lexi Malone recorded two kills as part of a 4-0 Warrior run to finish off the set.
 
Westmont was eyeing a sweep with an early 2-0 advantage in the third set, but Saint Katherine stormed back to take an 11-6 lead. Ahead 14-10, the Firebirds scored six straight points to build a 10-point cushion. Westmont scored the next five points to halve its deficit, but Saint Katherine held on and claimed the set by nine after a 4-0 run to finish the third.
 
The teams battled in the early going of the fourth set, with the Warriors maintaining an 8-7 lead. Two kills apiece from Patty Kerman and Brooklynn Cheney keyed six straight Westmont points to give the visitors a commanding 14-7 advantage – one they would not relinquish in route to claiming the fourth and final set by 11 points.
 
Dunn led the Warriors with 19 assists and four service aces. She was also second on the team with 10 digs.
 
"Syd Dunn's serving right off-the-bat set the tone for the entire match," McGolpin said. "She finished the match out running the 5-1 and getting a block, getting a dump and creating opportunities for our attackers."
 
Kerman led Westmont's attack with a career-high 16 kills and an impressive .556 attack %.
 
"Patty Kerman was heating it up all throughout the match," McGolpin said. "To have 16 kills and only one error on 27 attempts is not too bad in our first outing."
 
McGolpin also credited the leadership provided by both senior captain Madison Morrison and by senior outside hitter Galloway.
 
"I thought both Maddy Morrison and Hali Galloway did a great job in leadership roles," McGolpin said. "Maddy being the captain did a great job in her first outing as the libero. Hali as well, she got some fine passes and she helped us with some tough attacks in the front row."
 
Westmont then capped off a successful opening day of the tournament by sweeping Providence Christian in convincing fashion.
 
"I thought we played better in that match than in match one," McGolpin said. "We were definitely more in-sync with our passing. Our defense looked really good and our setters spread the ball out to all of our attackers."
 
Dunn served an ace to get the Warriors on the board in the first set against the Sea Beggars. That was one of 11 service aces for Westmont in the second match of the day.
 
"I do think our serving was the key to that match," McGolpin said. "We had 11 aces to only four errors, but even when we didn't get an ace, we kept them out of system with low, flat serves."
 
Three straight points gave Providence Christian a 3-2 advantage, but Westmont responded with a 5-0 run, with the help of two service aces from Galloway and two kills from Kerman, to take a four-point advantage. The Warriors' lead didn't get any lower than three, as Westmont rolled to win the first set by nine points.
 
Westmont started the second set up 2-0 yet again, but this time didn't concede its lead. With the score 11-10 in favor of the Warriors, Westmont scored six points in a row, which included two kills by Phoebe Minch, to go up by seven.
 
"We got opportunities to get different attackers in the match to play different positions," McGolpin said. "Phoebe Minch got to play right side and a little on the left. I'm glad and thankful that we have players who can play multiple positions."
 
After two Sea Beggar points, the Warriors scored the final eight points of the set to take the second stanza by 13.
 
The third set was closer, but unlike in its first match of the day, Westmont was able to complete the sweep and avoid having to play a fourth frame.
 
Morrison led the Warriors with 13 digs against Providence Christian.
 
"I thought Maddy Morrison stepped it up in the libero role again," McGolpin said. "She's going to continue to get better and more confident in that role."
 
Dunn once again orchestrated Westmont's offense, dishing out 19 assists, while also contributing 11 digs. Malia Yim pitched in 10 assists of her own.
 
Kerman's 11 kills paced the Warriors' attack, as did her .476 attack %. Brooklynn Cheney and Malone added eight and seven kills respectively, while Galloway led the team with four service aces.
 
The return to the court was long-awaited for McGolpin and her team, who hadn't played an official game since Dec. 7, 2019.
 
"Just to be playing games is beyond belief really," McGolpin said. "I was in the van last night driving and broke down in tears with such happiness because the women were chit-chatting in the van. Something so simple was so rewarding for me as a coach."
 
Westmont does not have to wait nearly as long to return to the court this time, as the Warriors will take on fellow Golden State Athletic Conference member Life Pacific on Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
 
"We're super stoked and are excited to play a GSAC opponent tomorrow in Life Pacific," McGolpin said. "I know that coach is excited to play us and just to play as well."