By Ron Smith
April 27, 2021
 
(SIOUX CITY, Iowa) In familiar surroundings, Westmont Volleyball (15-1), swept the Braves of Ottawa (Kan.) 25-20, 25-23, 26-24 to take the first game in Pool C at the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championships.
 
"Going into this match, a lot of memories of last year came back," said Westmont right side hitter Patty Kerman. "We played our first match on this court, wearing the same jersey and starting on the same side. Having that same confidence going into this match felt great.
 
"It was a team effort," said Kerman of the win. "The passing was solid and the defensive effort was fantastic. Syd was dishing out great sets and was fooling the blockers on the other side. I couldn't be more proud of this team."
 
The first set remained close throughout with neither team enjoying more than a three-point lead until the end. Up 21-20, Westmont – the tournaments third overall seed - closed out the opening frame with four straight kills. Jessie Terlizzi put the ball on the floor from the right side to send Brooklynn Cheney to the service line with a 22-20 advantage. Lexi Malone the provided the power from the middle, followed by Hali Galloway with a kill from the left that produced set point. Malone provided the final kill to give Westmont a one-set-to-none advantage.
 
The Warriors found themselves in a 7-3 deficit in the second set, but used a 7-1 run to go up 10-8. Kaylee Ivie notched two kills during the Warrior rally while Galloway and Patty Kerman each added one. Ana Neumann and Sydney Dunn each contributed a service ace.
 
The battle remained tight throughout the rest of the set. After the Braves tied the score at 23 points apiece, Kerman and Cheney delivered back-to-back kills to secure the second-set victory.
 
In the third set, Westmont jumped out to a 16-8 lead on the strength of solid blocking and well-placed serving. However, the Braves fought back with a 10-1 run to take an 18-17 lead.
 
"Ottawa is a good team," reflected McGolpin, "but we definitely can't give them that many runs of play. A little bit of that is that the players have to continue to stay aggressive and have a belief that we are going to come out on top."
 
"It took one kill, one great play, and we got our confidence right back," said Kerman.
 
That kill came from Terlizzi, followed by two from Galloway, resulting in a 20-18 Warrior advantage. However, the Braves took five of the next seven points to go up 23-22, threatening to send the match to a fourth set.
 
Another kill by Galloway tied the set at 23 before Ottawa's Caitlyn Cox delivered a kill that gave the Braves set point. A service error by Ottawa, however, tied the score at 24.
 
Westmont claimed match point on an attack error by the Braves. Maddie Morrison then served to initiate what turned out to be a well-contested point.
 
"The last point was a long rally with four chances," described McGolpin. "Our defense is what carried us."
 
The final point was won on a kill by Malone. It was her 11th, matching her uniform number while producing a .346 attack percentage. Also matching her uniform number in kills was Kerman with a team-high 13. Kerman recorded a .345 attack percentage. Galloway tallied nine kills while hitting .208 and Terlizzi added eight.
 
Westmont recorded seven team blocks (three in the third set) with Ivie notching four block assists and Malone three. Galloway, Terlizzi and Cheney each had two.
 
Tomorrow, the Warriors continue pool play by taking on Grand View who is from Des Moines on the opposite (eastern) side of Iowa. The match is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. CDT / 8:30 a.m. PDT.
 
The Vikings were undefeated in the Heart of America North Division but lost in five sets to Central Methodist (14-6) in the semifinals of the HAC conference tournament.
 
Grand View is the second seed in Pool C and the 14th overall seed. Before tomorrow's match with the Warriors, however, the Vikings will take on Ottawa in the second game in Pool C. That match is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. CDT / 1:00 p.m. PDT today.
 
The winner of the pool will advance to the championship bracket with single-elimination play beginning on Thursday.
 
With one win under their belt, the Warriors are looking forward to participating in the rest of the tournament.
 
"It means the world," said Kerman about playing in the national championship. "Last fall we had no idea if we would be going to play in a championship, didn't know if we were going to make it, didn't know if we were going to hit the number of games to even qualify. Just the fact that we are here is amazing. We are taking nothing for granted, but we have goals. We really want that championship."