By Jacob Norling
April 2, 2021
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) #4 Westmont (12-0, 9-0) remained undefeated on Friday night against San Diego Christian (10-8, 6-5) as the Warriors took care of the Hawks in four sets.
 
The Hawks threw their best punch at the Warriors in the first set to take an early advantage, but Ruth McGolpin's club weathered the storm and got things done in four sets.
 
In the first set Westmont came out strong, scoring the first five points of the match. The Warriors consistently maintained a multi-point lead until halfway through the set when the Hawks quickly closed the gap. San Diego Christian tied it at 13, then took their first lead on the following serve.
 
The Warriors and Hawks traded points until San Diego Christian took their first multi-point lead of the night, at 17-15. The Warriors rallied with the Hawks, but San Diego pulled away with its biggest lead being four as Westmont dropped the first set 25-21.
 
"For me the big word was discipline," said McGolpin when asked what adjustments Westmont needed following the first set. "We needed to be disciplined on our side of the court and not worry about what the opposition was doing. We needed to do a better job blocking, we needed to do a better job swinging at the net, and we needed to do a better job getting the ball to Lexi."
 
In the second set Westmont came out strong again as they scored the first four points and this time they didn't look back. Westmont started out an 11-3 run and ended the set on a 14-6 run to tie the match with a convincing 25-9 set two victory.
 
"Hali Galloway was great, that was a change for us having her in the back row," said McGolpin. "Her quickness in the back row was pivotal for us, especially against a team who throws the ball in all different directions."
 
Galloway collected nine kills to go along with nine digs, and brought a presence of composure back to Westmont's passing game.
 
The two sides traded the first ten points of set three, and things remained close through the middle of the set. A Lexi Malone block gave the Warriors their first four-point lead of the set at 13-9, but the Hawks would not go away easily as they hung with the home team and tied things at 17. The two sides traded until Westmont scored on three consecutive points to win 25-22, and pulled within one set of victory.
 
Westmont led by as many as six (12-6) to start the fourth set, but then came a furious Hawks rally as San Diego Christian tied things at 14. Westmont and San Diego then traded the lead until Westmont reclaimed it for good after going up 18-17. Westmont ended the set, and the match, on a 7-1 run to claim the fourth set 25-18 and remain undefeated in GSAC play.
 
Malone led the offensive charge for the Warriors with a game-high 15 kills, and also came up clutch defensively as she collected five blocks.
 
"Blocking plays a key role in Lexi's game," said McGolpin. "She and Audrey Brown were great at the net, collecting a lot of blocks which was huge for us to stay playing our game."
 
Westmont's two reigning GSAC players of the week also continued their hot trend. Jessie Terlizzi, the reigning attacker of the week, collected 12 kills. And Madison Morrison, the reigning defensive player of the week, tallied a team-high 15 digs. Westmont's two setters, Keelyn Kistner and Sydney Dunn, combined for 50 assists.
 
The Warriors and Hawks go at it again tomorrow at 7:00 PM in Murchison Gym. Westmont will be celebrating senior night and live coverage will be available on the Westmont athletics website.
 
"We're looking forward to honoring our three seniors, Madison, Hali, and Brooklynn," said McGolpin. "We'll be playing for them, but also just playing for us. Even after securing the GSAC West championship we need to make sure we keep our high ranking which is key for us seeding wise. So again, discipline is the key for us tomorrow night and every night."