By Jacob Norling
November 23, 2024
 
(Santa Barbara, Calif.) Westmont Volleyball (14-13, 9-11 PacWest) saw their season come to an end in frustrating fashion on Saturday afternoon, when the Warriors fell in three consecutive sets to the Dominican Penguins (6-20, 5-15). After clawing their way above .500 play in conference contests just 10 days ago, Westmont ended the year by dropping three straight 3-0 matches.
 
The first set was the most forgettable during the match, with Westmont not holding a single lead in a set they ultimately lost 25-14. Set two was a different story, with Westmont holding a 10-6 lead at one point, before falling down 19-16 in the middle of the set. Westmont knotted things at 19, but Dominican out-paced Westmont in the end to a 25-23 win.
 
The Warriors possessed a bit more fight in the third set, as the team came back from a 15-10 deficit to tie things at 20. Westmont even led momentarily 22-21 after an ace from Alexa Shiner, but three consecutive scores by Dominican put Westmont on the brink at 24-23. Westmont briefly tied it at 24, but a kill and an ace from the Penguins put a pin in it, with Westmont's 2024 season coming to an end with a sweep in San Rafael.
 
Junior Alexis Dennick led Westmont with eight kills during the match, while Ella Hosfeld led the Warriors with 18 assists. Libero Rylee Elias led the Warriors with nine digs, while both Elias and Hashimoto collected a pair of service aces.
 
"Obviously not the way we wanted to end the season," said Westmont head coach Ruth McGolpin, "but it is what it is. Lexi Dennick had an amazing match. She is someone we'll be looking to next season for a leadership component, that's for sure.
 
"I also want to commend our seniors, this being the last time I get to talk about them. Kaili Hashimoto played absolutely great in the back row. It's been a tough season at times for Kai, but it was nice for her to have a good one tonight. Sara Krueger has played great all season, and I just want to thank her for being as tough as she's been.
 
"Then Alexa Shiner, who is graduating a year early, has been an excellent setter for us. She's quirky, super athletic, and I want to thank her as well. Then lastly, for Taylor Distelberg, she was meant to be a Warrior. She's right where she's meant to be. She's done a fantastic job leading this team off the court. Taylor never gave in, and that's one of the main things she's always been known for."
 
The Warriors will return to action in the fall of 2025.