Westmont Volleyball (19-6, 11-4 GSAC) avenged a previous Golden State Athletic Conference win by sweeping the Royals of Hope International (12-11, 8-6 GSAC) on Tuesday night by scores of 25-14, 25-18, 25-15. On October 3, Westmont lost to Hope International in four sets on the Royals’ home court. Tonight’s win, comes on the heels of Westmont four-set victory over then top-ranked Biola last Friday night.
Junior outside hitter Jessica McCann tallied 14 kills for the Warriors on 21 attempts with just one error for a .619 attack percentage. Missy Fuerst (.500 attack percentage), Sydney Striff (.368 attack percentage) and Libby Dahlberg (.250 attack percentage) each added eight kills to the Warriors’ cause.
The hit parade netted Westmont a .370 team attack percentage for the match compared to .108 for Hope International.
The Warriors came out swinging in the first set, scoring on seven of the first eight points on their way to a 20-7 lead. As a team, Westmont posted a .412 attack percentage in the first set.
Hope International rallied in the second set and took a 10-7 lead after Westmont committed a service error and fell victim to three straight blocks by the Royals. After a timeout called by Westmont head coach Patti Cook, the Warriors righted the ship and caught the Royals at 12 points apiece. Still tied a 17, Westmont received back-to-back kills by Sarah McGough (5 kills, .556 attack percentage) a third from Fuerst to take a 20-17 advantage.
A block by the Royals’ Conley Kipp and Bridgette Dwyer was answered by a kill from Taylor Beckman (5 kills) and another by Fuerst, advancing the score to 22-18. Out of a Hope International timeout, Westmont scored the next three points on two kills by Striff and an attack error by the Royals to close out the set.
The third set looked more like the first with the Warriors jumping out to an 11-2 lead. Hope International would get no closer than six points the rest of the way.
With the win, Westmont strengthens its grip on third place in the GSAC standings. The Warriors are now a game and one-half in front of The Master’s (18-10, 9-5) in fourth place and a game and one one-half behind Biola (23-3, 12-2) in second.
Westmont will step away from GSAC play on Saturday night to welcome Providence Christian to Murchison Gymnasium. The Sea Beggars (5-21), who are based in San Dimas, are in their inaugural intercollegiate volleyball season. First serve is scheduled for seven o’clock.
