By Jacob Norling
August 30, 2023
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) In the four years since Ruth McGolpin has taken over as head coach of the Westmont Volleyball team the Warriors have won 90 games, three GSAC Championships, and made four consecutive trips to the NAIA National Tournament. In GSAC play, the Warriors have posted a record of 53-11, giving McGolpin a program-best .828 winning percentage in conference play.
 
However, while much of the same core that built these records are returning, McGolpin and the Warriors are aware that the book is now closed on their time in the NAIA as well as the GSAC. After 49 years in the NAIA, Westmont Volleyball's 50th season will be the Warriors' first at the NCAA Division II level.
 
On Friday, September 1, Westmont Volleyball will compete in their first Div. II matches in program history.
 
"It's a year of uncertainty for us," acknowledged McGolpin. "We have been the top dog, and now we're the underdog. That's a whole different feeling for all of us. Being ranked ninth out of 11th is something we aren't used to. With that, there's no expectation, so we can just go out and play.
 
"It's really just a matter of the expectations we set for ourselves."
 
As far as what the Warriors are asking of themselves, the on-the-court production is expected to follow due to the group's unified front. As they embark on a journey through uncharted territory, unity is the constant that McGolpin and company hope binds the group together.
 
"We have a team verse this season that encompasses all," explained McGolpin. "It surrounds the idea of a fortified wall of bronze, Jeremiah 15:20.
 
"I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze. They will fight against you, but will not prevail, because I am with you to rescue you and save you, declares the Lord.' We've talked a lot about uncertainty, but what we can control is being one unit, that's our wall of bronze. We asked the team to draw a picture of what that verse meant to them, and they all came up with very different images, but all with something that represented unity. When you see us in the huddle this year, they'll be interlocking arms."
 
As far as the Warriors themselves go, the core is headlined by a pair of former All-GSAC stars, senior outside hitters Phoebe Minch and Jessie Terlizzi. Minch, who was named to the All-GSAC team in each of the last two seasons, led Westmont in kills (351) and service aces (52) in 2022, while collecting the second-most digs on the team (448).
 
Terlizzi, who was All-GSAC in 2021, tallied the third-most kills (273) of any Warrior in 2022.
 
"We don't have captains this year, but those two have been providing the leadership for us," assured McGolpin. "Part of that rationale of having no captains is just so they can play, and not have to deal with the weight of captain responsibilities.
 
"For Phoebe, she's a six-rotation player that won't exit the floor at any point. She's a steady passer, smart attacker, and overall, she possesses a very high volleyball IQ.
 
"Jessie can also be a six-rotation player if we choose to utilize her that way. She is someone that's done a fantastic job the last few weeks of practice, and especially in our most recent scrimmages. During those scrimmages she's been on fire and we rode that Jessie-train.
 
"Our expectation is that both Phoebe and Jessie will provide not only leadership, but also the spark to get us our side-outs, which we need in an outside hitter."
 
Another pair of players who figure to feature prominently in Westmont's attack are juniors Taylor Distelberg and Sara Krueger. As sophomores in 2022, Distelberg collected 173 kills and 104 blocks, while Krueger provided 202 kills and 66 blocks.
 
"Taylor played all the time last year too, but she is someone we expect to continue to take on a bigger role," said McGolpin. "She is probably the strongest player we have, physically. She is steady, provides quiet leadership, and is someone that refuses to accept anything but success. She's got a starting spot in the middle, and will continue to blossom.
 
"Sara provides an element of tenacity. She's a middle hitter playing opposite, and she's very fast. We look to have her run another creative and quick offense on the right side."
 
The third member of Westmont's junior class is libero Kaili Hashimoto, who anchored Westmont's defense with a team-high 477 digs a season ago.  Hashimoto also recorded 21 services aces, and 143 assists in 2022.
 
"Kaili Hashimoto will be our starting libero again," affirmed McGolpin. "She was amazing at passing in our scrimmages, and along with Phoebe, she will provide a great number of serves for us. Her confidence last year and coming into this year has continued to grow, and we're excited to see it skyrocket."
 
A new face will enter the fold in Westmont's sophomore class in the form of opposite hitter Nariah Prescott, who transfers to Westmont via Chico State. For the Wildcats in 2022, Prescott recorded 91 kills and 20 blocks.
 
"Nariah is a fun person to watch," explained McGolpin. "She's very dynamic, has a heavy arm, and she's gusty in her playmaking. She loves the culture of Westmont Volleyball, and she's thriving in her adjustment on scene.
 
"The opposite position is still up for grabs between Nariah and Ashley Boswell, and we feel good about either one of those two. Ashley is steady, blocks really well, and has grown a ton over the course of the spring."
 
Last season, Boswell recorded 138 kills to go along with 50 blocks. Another returning sophomore is middle hitter Alexis Dennick, who tallied 36 kills and 30 blocks as a freshman.
 
"Lexi is going to continue to come into her own," said McGolpin. "She didn't play a ton last year, and when she did, she played a little opposite. To have her in the middle, she's someone that's going to continue getting better and better as the year goes on."
 
Also a part of Westmont's returning roster is redshirt freshman Natalie McNurlin, who provides depth as an outside hitter.
 
After graduating Keelyn Kistner a year ago, Westmont is left without an upperclassmen setter, leaving sophomore Alexa Shiner as the group's elder statesman. As a freshman, Shiner tallied 477 assists in a 6-2 offense, while also recording 41 service aces. With freshman Ella Hosfeld joining the fold, McGolpin expects the two to continue playing in a 6-2.
 
"We'll run the 6-2 again, because it makes sense for us," said McGolpin, a setter herself. "Both setters are very level-headed, and on the personality tests they test the same way. Ironically, they're both the opposite of me. They're more introverted, but they're running the show. They're both creative and extremely hard workers, as well as strong defenders."
 
Another pair of freshmen will join Hosfeld as the newest Warriors, with Malia De Jesus coming in as a defensive specialist, and Valerie Coward coming in as an outside hitter.
 
"Malia De Jesus is our DS freshman, and she has a wicked serve," revealed McGolpin. "She's a good passer, good defender, and the crowd will love watching her, for sure.
 
"Valerie Coward is another dynamic outside hitter, as well. She's super athletic, fun, and someone who is going to fit into our culture really well."
 
McGolpin's Warriors begin their NCAA Div. II slate on Friday, September 1, in Seaside, where they will compete in a weekend tournament against Northwest Nazarene (Idaho), MSU Mankato (Minn.), and CSU Monterey Bay.
 
A week later, Westmont will head to Rohnert Park to take on CSU Dominguez Hills, Monterey Bay once more, CSU San Bernardino, and Sonoma State.
 
"Starting off on the right note, I want to win all of our pre-conference games," said McGolpin. "We're going to play some teams who are ranked, and some teams who are receiving votes, and it'll be a great test for us. I want us to showcase well right off the bat."
 
On September 14, at 7:00 p.m. inside Murchison Gym, Westmont will open their conference slate by hosting the first PacWest Conference match in Westmont Athletics history. That night, Westmont will host Fresno Pacific. The Warrior's PacWest home matches include clashes with Azusa Pacific, Biola, and Point Loma amongst others.
 
Westmont's road schedule is highlighted by a week-long road trip to Hawaii in October, where they will take on Hawaii Hilo, Chaminade, and Hawaii Pacific.
 
As McGolpin mentioned, the PacWest preseason poll projects the Warriors to finish ninth out of 11 schools, which are expectations that are unfamiliar for the group. Still, McGolpin hopes to introduce Westmont Volleyball to the PacWest in strong fashion.
 
"I want to surprise teams," stated McGolpin. "At the end of the day, I want to showcase what Westmont Volleyball is all about on the court, but also off the court. We're stellar people, really smart women, and a team with great chemistry that's very united.
 
"We're a team that has a lot of fun playing this game, and we'll continue to grow both on and off the court together. With that culture, the wins will come, and we're going to surprise teams. We are not a bystander by any means. We belong at the Division II level."