Warriors Sweep Away La Sierra

By Brandon Petersen

Make that eight straight. 

After a lengthy, emotional reverse-sweep win over Saint Katherine in San Marcos less than 24 hours before, the Westcliff women's volleyball team would have been given a pass if they didn't have their legs, or their spirit, or their concentration levels at 100-percent Friday afternoon. 

But no pass was needed, because the Warriors had zero drop-off in a 3-0 sweep of La Sierra at Momentous, 26-24, 25-13, 25-20. 

"Very impressed with how our players played our game," Westcliff head coach Kenny Ma said. "Last night, coming off a hard-earned, emotional win, we didn't get back to campus until 11:30. 

"It was a late night, and most programs coming off a five-setter, you know, they're sloppy."

The Warriors started off shaky, but had very little trouble finding their groove. 

The Golden Eagles came out hot and looked like they would take the first set, but a the Warriors locked down and battled back from match point to claim the come-from-behind set win. 

Momentum at their backs, Westcliff breezed through the second set, and had little difficulty capturing the third. 

The usual suspects were deep into their bags Friday. 

Fiona Moesching (13), Maddie Shepston (nine) and Elise Brown (nine) led the way in kills, with Dana Manu providing six of her own, including a pair of important finishes in the final set. 

Ava Himstreet (three aces) was her usual brilliant self, anchoring the squad from the back row with 19 digs, and putting in work at the line, where she helped reverse the tide of the first set with her tricky-to-receive southpaw serve. 

Leonor Chambel (15), Michelle Do (11) and Sheptson all had double-digit digs. 

At net, Do ran the show, finishing with 17 assists, while Lina Ellila had 13. 

"One we remembered this is a championship-caliber game, we cleaned it up a little bit and took care of our side," Ma said. "And our players took care of the rest."

Next Tuesday, the Warriors will step out of Cal Pac play for a match with the Master's at 6 p.m.

Conference play then resumes next Thursday with a home match against Antelope Valley.

First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.