September 1, 2023

Warriors Fought Hard vs Lions, But Lose in Three

Video Box Score
By Francisco Claudio
 
The Westcliff women's volleyball team visited the lions den on Thursday evening as they made the quick drive over to Vanguard University.
 
Warriors fought hard and made the Vanguard Lions switch up some of their tactics before ultimately losing in three sets 25-19, 25-16, 25-15.
 
"They executed the scouting report to a point where Vanguard needed to find a different way to win," said head coach Andrew Cole. "Vanguard has the size and arms to have an excellent season.  
 
"We match up well in that it is two different styles of play."
 
Westcliff started off the first set well and went up 5-3 after a kill from Ava Himstreet with an assist from Abbey Beckwith.
 
But Vanguard responded with a fury of points, winning eight of the next nine.
 
From that point on the Warriors were playing catch up and there was too much distance between the scores going into the latter part of the first set.
 
The Warriors were able to bring it within three points 22-19 after another smart play by Himstreet.
 
Then Vanguard took the final three points to seal the first set.
 
Westcliff fought hard in the second and third sets but was met with the length of the Lions which caused issues all night.
 
This will be another match that will provide an important experience for the Warriors to soak up and grow from. 
 
One highlight from Westcliff's side was Faith Webb getting 16 digs and five kills which really made her presence felt throughout the night. 
 
Brooke Scheidle had 13 digs and three kills.
 
Himstreet had 10 digs, six assists, and two kills.
 
"Considering it was a lineup put together five days prior to the match and different from what we had done for three weeks in preseason, they battled well," Cole said.
 
Now the Warriors will have six days off before the next match which will give them plenty of time to work on their game.

"Taking advantage of just two matches, we had an optional practice today to allow for individual attention whether that is health and safety or technical adjustments on the court," Cole said. "We are making the most of tomorrow by getting some conditioning work on the sand."
 
The next time the Warriors step on the court for a match it will be against a conference opponent.
 
As the season starts to really pick up the Warriors will play their first conference game on September 7th against Simpson University.
 
Look out for next week's weekly schedule to get a little background of the matchups coming up.