Posted: Sep 03, 2022

Warriors Sweep the Tri-Match Between Against West Coast Baptist and Cal Tech

San Dimas, CA – On Saturday morning, the Warriors got the opportunity to host West Coast Baptist and California Institute of Technology in a Tri-Match. The Warriors took both matches in straight sets. In the first match of the day, LPU defeated West Coast Baptist 3-0 (25-9, 25-9, 25-6), in a match which featured contributions from multiple Warriors. LPU faced Cal Tech in the second match of the day, which resulted in another sweep by the Warriors (25-19, 25-15, 25-10). In the match, the Warriors were dominant defensively at the net, tallying 10 blocks as a team. With both wins, LPU improves to 3-0 in the season as they enter GSAC play next weekend.

LIFE PACIFIC VS. WEST COAST BAPTIST

The Warriors dominated the match from the start, with an early lead 13-4, that was spurred by a 6 point service run by Mackenzie Stewart. The veterans for LPU led the way early with Hannah Caddow and Mackenzie Stewart getting early kills in the first set. Bailey Collette, sophomore OH, was instrumental for LPU in their victory as she led the way for LPU in kills and digs. She will look to solidify herself as one of the key outside hitters in the GSAC this year. LPU eventually took the first set 25-9.

The second set proved to be no different than the first, with LPU getting off to an early 5-0 lead, thanks to freshman setter, Maddie Robertson's 5 point service run. Robertson made her presence felt in this match as she led LPU with 11 assists and 4 aces. The ball was spread around in the second set, seeing multiple players contribute. Hailee Heim made an immediate impact off of the bench, leading a 6 point service run, where she recorded multiple aces and some key digs. LPU took the 2nd set 25-9.

In the third set, the Warriors were able to use the momentum from the previous two sets and start off to a commanding 13-2 lead. Freshmen, Kate Murray and Stephanie Mosley, were vital in the final set as they made their presence felt at the net. Murray came in and immediately recorded a kill and 3 digs, while Mosley recorded 2 digs and 2 blocks. Marissa Ryerson came in and helped lead the way in the 3rd set as she spread the ball around, recording 3 assists in the final set. The Warriors finished the match off with a statement victory of 25-6 in the final set, sweeping West Coast Baptist in the first match of the Tri-Match.

Match Stats Leaders

Kills

Assists

Maddie Robertson - 11

Digs

Aces

Maddie Robertson - 4
Mackenzie Stewart - 4

Blocks

LIFE PACIFIC VS. CAL TECH

The Warriors built off of their stellar play from the first match and built an early 18-7 lead against Cal Tech. Mackenzie Stewart and Hannah Caddow were leading the way early for the Warriors with their attacks and service runs that they put together. Lindsey Johnson did a great job setting the tone for LPU. On the match, she finished with 14 assists and 6 digs. Despite starting off on a roll, Cal Tech responded with their own run. As they trailed 22-10, they worked their way all the way back, going on a 8-1 run to bring the Warrior lead all the way down to 23-18. Although Cal Tech had a late push, the Warriors showed resilience and took the first set 25-19.

In the second set, they really started to turn their defense up, as Mackenzie Grooms and Caitlin Riden led the way with their play at the net. Riden finished with 6 blocks on the day and Grooms finished with 5 blocks. Hannah Caddow and Bailey Collette, started to find their groove on the offensive end in the second set, leading the charge late in the set. Daniela H'Orvath did a good job coming into the set and controlling the pace of play, keeping Cal Tech off balance. LPU eventually took the second set 25-15.

LPU took complete control and momentum of the match and fed off of that to finish the sweep in the final set. Audrianna Guzman and Mackenzie Grooms were dominant in the final set, as they both put together amazing strings of plays with kills and blocks at the net. Emma McMillan continued her steady place as she got 3 more aces in the third set. The Warriors finished the sweep with a dominant win in the final set, 25-10.

As Coach Wes Schneider reflected on the Tri-Match sweep, he stated, "Today was a good day for us. We stayed focused on the play at hand, which is something that we have really been working on. Our offense and defense both improved today and we are really looking forward to the battles to come starting the GSAC play next week."