By Jeff Raymond
September 5, 2025
 
(FRESNO, Calif.) The Westmont volleyball team opened the 2025 season in fine fashion on Friday, sweeping its two matches in the Sunbird Classic, hosted by Fresno Pacific. The Warriors (2-0) opened with a 3-0 sweep of UC Merced, and followed with an impressive 3-1 victory over Stanislaus State, a team receiving votes in the national polls.
 
"The word of the day is gritty," said head coach Ruth McGolpin. "Our team showed the perseverance and the fight that we need them to have."
 
In the opening match against UC Merced, Westmont went on a 10-3 run to take a commanding 13-5 lead in the first set. Five different players contributed kills early on, including two from Maddie Finnegan. A combined block by Camila Cornejo-Farmer and Audrey Hyde made it 19-9, and Alexis Dennick finished the set with a kill at 25-14.
 
The second set looked to be a repeat of the first as Westmont built a quick 7-2 advantage. The Warriors' largest lead of the game came at 16-7, but UC Merced began to chip away. The Bobcats went on a 14-6 run to close within a single point at 22-21. Two straight attacking errors ended the Bobcats' surge, and Finnegan put down the final attack for a 25-21 win.
 
Set three turned out to be the most competitive of the match, with neither team able to gain control. The Warriors held their largest lead of the set at 20-17, but UC Merced scored three straight points to tie it at 20-20. The Bobcats twice served for the set, but a combined block by Dennick and Nariah Prescott saved one set point. A kill by Ceanna O'Loughlin kept the set alive, and Lily Underwood's attack put Westmont ahead 29-28. An attack error by the Bobcats ended the match.
 
"They started to press us in the last two sets, but we pushed back, which was nice to see," said McGolpin. "It was an unbelievable performance from our passers. Riley, Malia, and Maddie did an outstanding job throughout the match."
 
Finnegan led the offense with 11 kills, followed by O'Loughlin with nine and Hyde with seven. The Warriors posted a hitting percentage of .286. Dennick and Cornejo-Farmer each contributed with a solo block and three block assists. Malia de Jesus recorded 12 digs, while Rylee Elias added 11 digs and two aces.
 
"Our hitting percentage was excellent, and we were able to spread our offense around," added McGolpin. "I thought our serving was also great. We hit our zones with tough, flat serves."
 
After a few hours of rest, Westmont took the floor against Stanislaus State, also known as the Warriors. Stanislaus won the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) postseason tournament last year and advanced to the NCAA Regional level.
 
The first set was closely contested as both teams fought for an advantage. There were 10 ties in the set, the last being at 19-19, before a kill by Cornejo-Farmer sparked a 4-0 run for Westmont. Stanislaus narrowed the gap to 24-23, but Dennick delivered the set-winning kill for Westmont.
 
Stanislaus used a 7-2 run to break open the second set after the teams were tied 10-10. Westmont could not claw its way back, eventually falling 25-20.
 
Westmont trailed most of the third set until a late 9-2 run shifted the momentum. Stanislaus looked ready to take the lead in the match, leading 20-16 when O'Loughlin stepped up. The junior transfer delivered three kills and a block to help Westmont win the set 25-22.
 
Set four proved to be another back-and-forth battle. Westmont broke from a 12-12 tie to lead 17-13. Stanislaus responded with its own run to go ahead 22-21. Hyde made a block and a kill to keep the set tied. Both teams saved set points until Hyde finished with another kill to win 29-27.
 
"Audrey and Nariah were amazing tonight," said McGolpin. "They led us in kills and both hit for a high percentage. The passing continues to be consistent, and defensively, we were outstanding."
 
Hyde and Prescott record 13 kills each to lead Westmont. Prescott hit .379 and Hyde hit .281. Finnegan added 12 kills. Underwood and Sierra McClure produced 29 and 24 assists, respectively. Elias ended with 22 digs.
 
Westmont returns to action in the Sunbird Classic at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, taking on Chico State.