Sr. Day Done, Warriors Eye Chula Vista

By Brandon Petersen

After winning the California Pacific Conference regular season championship last weekend, the Westcliff women's beach volleyball team had one more bit of business Friday morning before turning its attention to the Cal Pac Championships next week in Chula Vista.

The No. 2 Warriors celebrated Senior Day Friday at the Great Park with a 5-0 sweep of Hope International.

It was the fifth straight sweep for Westcliff, three of which came against nationally-ranked opponents Saint Katherine (No. 9), Vanguard (No. 2) and Hope, which is currently receiving votes headed into the GSAC tournament. 

The Warriors' Wednesday win over previously-unbeaten Vanguard preceded a leapfrog situation in the rankings. The Lions are now No. 3. 

Both programs are looking up at Corban of Oregon, who Westcliff beat in the Cal Pac tournament championship a year ago.

"It's going to be tough," Westcliff's reigning National Player of the Year, Gianna Guinasso said. "Everyone wants our spot. But it's funky, because we don't even have the top spot — Corban does — so I think that puts a fire underneath us as well. 

"That's not fair. We won our conference and we're not the No. 1 seed? Even if we win first day, we can't steal that No. 1 seed back."

Corban returns to the tournament this year alongside Cascade Conference foes Bushnell and Southern Oregon. 

The host team will once again be Saint Katherine, currently rated No. 7 in America. 

The Firebirds are 7-5 overall and 4-2 in Cal Pac play. 

Those two losses? You guessed it — Westcliff's responsibility.

"As a team, I keep reminding them, beating someone three or four times is very difficult," Guinasso warned about the tournament host. "Past experience: Volleyball is funky. Winds change or it's something else. 

 "It's a new day, and we have to pretend like we've never played them before. Don't get technical and bank on their tendencies — play fresh.

"We've beaten them twice, now, they're gonna come at us with even more fire. We have everything to lose and they have nothing to lose."

Park-Gilbert and Benedictine Mesa will round out the field at the Elite Athlete Training Center.

Pool play will take place on April 6th, then an April 7th single elimination bracket will determine the tournament championship match on April 8th. 

Friday at the Great Park, it was business as usual. 

No. 1 Fiona Moesching and Marine Kinna won 21-14, 21-10.

No. 2 Guinasso and Mia Scheepens went three with Taylor Erickson and Candice Palmer, 21-19, 16-21, 15-5. 

"We're never disappointed with a win," Guinasso said. "Not our best showing, but as Mia and I discussed, 'If that's our worst showing, and you know that's better than someone's best — you take that home.' That's a huge compliment. 

"Our lows are very high, and we're confident heading into Chula Vista."

No. 3 Sabrina Galassi and Maddie Shepston won in a nail-biter, 21-14, 18-21, 17-15.

No. 4 Faith Webb and Luise Palenczat handled Hope, 21-16, 21-14.

And No. 5 Brooke Scheidle and Leanna Zamora won 21-16, 21-17.

In the battle of the sixes, Leonor Chambel and Serena Comer picked up a breezy 21-7, 21-14 win. 

"We need all 19 people (in Chula Vista)," Guinasso said. "Just because 10 play, you have no idea the difference it makes with just three or four people on the sidelines screaming at you. Cheering with you or against a team — it can really throw someone off.

"So it really takes all 19, I'm trying to instill that into everyone — you may not have the numbered jersey on your back, but we need you.

"We definitely are a village."

Guinasso was celebrated Friday morning alongside fellow seniors, Zamora, Kinna and Comer in a pregame ceremony.

With a nice mix of returning veterans and hungry newcomers, the Warriors now face the school's first opportunity to claim back-to-back Cal Pac tournament championships. 

"What is Forrest Gump's password?" Guinasso asked the media following Friday's win. "One. Forrest. One."

Relaxed. 

Confident.

Slinging Dad Jokes left and right. 

Oh, yes, the Warriors are ready for Chula Vista.