By Tim Heiduk
January 23, 2021
 
(SAN MARCOS, Calif.) On the backs of two victories on Friday to open up the postponed 2020 season, Westmont made that three wins from three at the University of Saint Katherine Tournament, after the Warriors defeated their fellow namesake in Life Pacific, 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-22), on Saturday.
 
"That was the best match we had all weekend," Westmont head coach Ruth McGolpin said. "Life Pacific definitely pushed us in every aspect."
 
McGolpin credited the senior class of Hali Galloway, Brooklynn Cheney and Madison Morrison in the victory. Galloway paced the Warriors' offense with 16 kills, while Cheney and Morrison led the team defensively with 18 and 14 digs respectively.
 
"I was very proud of our seniors Hali Galloway, Brooklynn Cheney and Madison Morrison," McGolpin said. "They not only led in passing all game long, but at the offensive end in terms of Hali and Brooklynn being rock solid."
 
The two Warrior squads battled back and forth in the early portion of the first set. Trailing 5-6, Westmont went on a 5-0 run that was bookended by Galloway kills to take a 10-6 advantage. Three straight points for Life Pacific reduced the lead to one point, but Westmont responded with three consecutive points of its own to gain back control.
 
With Westmont seemingly running away with the first set, up 23-15, Life Pacific roared back with seven-straight points to get back to within one. A Life Pacific service error ended the run, but two Life Pacific kills tied the set at 24 apiece. However, another Galloway kill sparked Westmont to win the next two points and take the first set, 26-24.
 
The second set had a similar script, with neither team separating themselves early on. At 15-15, Westmont went on another 5-0 run, with Patty Kerman providing three-straight kills to put Westmont up by five points. Life Pacific was unable to get closer than within three the rest of the set, as Westmont took a two-set-to-none lead.
 
Then in the third set, two Galloway kills and two Life Pacific attacking errors put Westmont ahead 5-1.
 
"Our blocking was pretty good," McGolpin said. "We definitely did a good job with our defense, but again the leadership of the senior class was absolutely superb."
 
Life Pacific battled back to tie the set on multiple occasions, but a Lexi Malone kill completed the sweep and put an exclamation point on what was a successful start to the season for Westmont, in which Westmont only lost one set over the three matches.
 
"One of the best components of this weekend though was the ability to feel like a family again and have positivity from one another in that realm," McGolpin said. "The bonding time that exists on the court is amazing.
 
"Without practicing all week last week, we didn't quite know what to expect, but they are a talented bunch of women. They all have good souls and are good people. They all want to be here and that's important for this program."
 
Malone recorded 10 kills, while Kerman added eight. Sydny Dunn and Malia Yim conducted the offense with 20 and 16 assists respectively. Kaylee Ivie led the team in blocks with five.
 
The end of the University of Saint Katherine Tournament marks the completion of a very brief nonconference schedule for Westmont, who is scheduled to begin Golden State Athletic Conference play on Feb. 16 against Vanguard. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.
 
"This is the end of our preseason and now we venture into the GSAC," McGolpin said. "We know that that's going to be very tough with Vanguard, San Diego Christian and Hope in our pod, but we're going to be more prepared.
 
"We're going to be ready for it and then we're going to have the ability to understand how we will have to pivot on a dime to overcome adversity, not only in our playing but in our mental stability. I think this past week and this weekend was a true testament to our mental capabilities."