By Ron Smith
April 17, 2021
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Women's Volleyball (14-1) returned to the NAIA National Championship, today, with a three-game sweep of Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.) in Opening Round play. The third-ranked Warriors, who hosted the Redhawks (10-5) in Murchison Gymnasium, posted set scores of 25-17, 30-28, 25-19.
 
As a result, the Warriors have advanced to the final site in Sioux City, Iowa to compete in the remainder of the tournament. Westmont has never lost an Opening Round match, always advancing to the final site. The Warriors are playing in their 14th NAIA National Championship.
 
"In the Opening Round, the expectation is that we don't know what to expect," said Westmont head coach Ruth McGolpin. "On paper, we have a better team, but I was impressed with their outside hitter, Brittnie Henige (five kills). She was a lot taller person and more dominate than I saw on film."
 
The Redhawks did not go quietly, especially in the second set. After a 4-0 run gave Benedictine a 10-8 lead, McGolpin called a timeout. The Warriors won the next two points to tie the game at 10, but the Redhawks responded with a 5-0 run to take a 15-10 lead and prompt McGolpin to burn her second timeout.
 
In order to right the ship, McGolpin changed strategy, leaving in her seniors – Hali Galloway, Brooklyn Cheney and Maddie Morrison throughout the rotation.
 
"Keeping our seniors in was a must," said McGolpin. "They have been to the national championship four years in a row and we have to ride their coat tails.
 
Still, Westmont was unable to pull even with Benedictine and found itself facing set-point at 24-21.
 
A 4-0 Warrior run, which included kills by freshman right side hitter Jessie Terlizzi and junior middle blocker Kaylee Ivie, and a block by the same pair, put the Warriors up 25-24.
 
"We stayed calm, and that was important," said McGolpin of her team's response.
 
The two team's traded side-outs until the score reached 28 apiece. A kill from right side hitter Patty Kerman gave Westmont a 29-28 lead before a Redhawk error ended the set at 30-28 and gave the Warriors a two-sets-to-none advantage.
 
In the third set, Westmont used a 8-1 run to turn a 6-5 deficit into a 13-7 lead. The Warriors never trailed again.
 
Terlizzi finished with 10 kills while sporting a .381 attack percentage.
 
"I coined the term, 'Jessie Train', said McGolpin while pumping her arm as if blowing a train whistle. "We have to ride the, 'Jessie Train.'
 
Kerman tallied seven kills and a posted a .273 attack percentage while Ivie and Galloway each added five.
 
"Kaylee came up with some key, clutch plays," noted McGolpin.
 
The Warriors also used their defensive prowess at the net, tallying 10 team blocks. Ivie was credited with four block assists while Galloway and middle blocker Lexi Malone recorded two solo blocks each.
 
Though not satisfied with her team's performance in the Opening Round match, McGolpin expressed optimism about the rest of the national championship.
 
"My expectation is that when we go back to Sioux City - on a bigger stage against better competition - these women will rise to the occasion," said the coach.
 
The Warriors will compete in pool play on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 27 and 28. The field of 24 remaining teams will be divided into eight pools of three teams each. The winners of the eight pools will advance to a single-elimination bracket that begins with the quarterfinals on April 29.
 
The NAIA will release the pool assignments tomorrow afternoon.
 
Last season, Westmont advanced to the NAIA championship match for the first time in program history.