Volleyball Reaches National Championship Game

Westmont volleyball made history during a remarkable run through the NAIA National Championship Tournament that ended with a heartbreaking loss in a nationally televised championship game from Sioux City, Iowa. The unranked Warriors fell to No. 11 Marian (IN) 25-20, 25-20, 25-21, becoming National Runner-Ups. First-year head coach Ruth McGolpin guided the team to the final site of the NAIA National Tournament for the fourth straight year. The Warriors began the 32-team tournament, which consisted of three days of pool play, by sweeping No. 9 Columbia (MO), losing to No. 8 Jamestown (ND) in four sets and sweeping Xavier (LA). They advanced to the 16-team single-elimination bracket on December 6, upsetting No. 7 Eastern Oregon in four sets and No. 1 Park (MO) in five sets. The next day they swept No. 6 Viterbo (WI) to advance to their first ever national championship game.

Senior Cassidy Rea and freshman Lexi Malone were named to the All-Tournament Team for their contributions over the seven tournament games this week. Rea, the only senior on the team, finished second in the tournament in total kills with 107 while posting a .299 attack percentage. She ends her career with 1,301 kills, ninth highest in the Warriors record book.