By Ron Smith
March 30, 2021
 
(COSTA MESA, Calif.) Warrior setter Sydny Dunn had two double-digit serving runs and the team piled up 10 blocks in three sets as #4 Westmont Volleyball (11-0, 8-0 GSAC) posted a three-set sweep of the Lions of Vanguard (9-9, 5-7) on Wednesday evening. The Warriors won by scores of 25-13, 25-21 and 25-13.
 
"The scores were not reflected of how hard we had to work," advised Westmont head coach Ruth McGolpin. "In set one, it was neck-and-neck early on, then we just made a push. Syd served for 12 straight points in set one. We hit our serving zones, so that was key. With our serves, we kept them on their heels with who they could set."
 
Dunn later served for 10 straight points in the third set. In all, the Warriors scored one-third of their points (25) with Dunn at the service line.
 
"Our defense was the difference maker," offered McGolpin. "Madison Morrison was phenomenal tonight. Not just in her defense, but in her poise. She set some great high-ball sets, using her hands on some. They were beautiful."
 
Morrison produced 19 digs and four assists.
 
"Kaylee Ivie and Jesse Terlizzi were a wall at the net in game three," said McGolpin.
 
Ivie recorded three solo blocks and teamed up with Terlizzi for two block assists. Hali Galloway and Brooklynn Cheney were each credited with two solo blocks.
 
Offensively, Galloway tallied 10 kills while Ivie and Phoebe Minch each added six.
 
"Kaylee and Hali were on fire offensively. Our team was taking aggressive swings even on off plays. We were hitting high hands too, so we had a lot of deflection kills off of them. It was good, smart hitting in an overall team win."
 
With the win, Westmont claimed at least a share of the GSAC West Regular Season Championship and - due to tiebreaker rules - an automatic berth into the NAIA National Championship. Westmont can claim sole possession of the GSAC West Championship with a win in either of the two remaining games this week. The Warriors are scheduled to host San Diego Christian (10-7, 6-4) on both Friday and Saturday evenings in Murchison Gymnasium. The Hawks are in second place in the GSAC West standings, three games back of the Warriors.
 
"That is step two in our championship week," said McGolpin of tonight's victory. "We know we have a couple of tough matches coming up this weekend. We will be prepared."
 
Due to COVID-19 mandates, spectators will not be admitted to this weekend's matches. Fans can follow the action on the Westmont Sports Network broadcasts available at https://athletics.westmont.edu/video. The matches can also be accessed on Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku.